Keep Wales Tidy launches autumn drive to tackle dog mess
As the days grow shorter, a new campaign is reminding dog owners across Wales to “leave only pawprints” and help keep shared spaces clean and safe.
The Leave Only Pawprints initiative, launched by Keep Wales Tidy and funded by the Welsh Government, aims to tackle a seasonal rise in dog fouling as darker evenings and colder weather set in.
With research showing that incidents of fouling often increase in autumn and winter, the campaign is highlighting the health and environmental dangers of leaving waste behind.
New findings from Aberystwyth University have revealed that uncollected dog faeces pose significant risks to people, pets and wildlife. Scientists tested over 150 “fouled” samples and 138 bagged samples from bins in and around Aberystwyth.
They found that 22.1% of uncollected samples contained parasitic worms, compared with 6.5% of picked-up samples.
In total, 14.4% of all faeces tested positive for parasites, with hookworm (6.8%) and Toxocara canis (4.5%) among the most common. Uncollected waste was found to be 2.6 times more likely to carry infection than bagged waste.
Dr Russ Morphew, Reader in Biochemistry and Parasitology at Aberystwyth University, said: “Our research shows a clear link between dog fouling and the health status of the dogs themselves. Dogs that aren’t routinely wormed will shed harmful parasites, which can pose risks to people, other pets, and local wildlife when left in public spaces. Responsible dog ownership – including regular worming and cleaning up after your pet – is essential to keeping our communities safe.”
Further analysis showed that parasite levels in bagged waste remained stable, while faecal egg counts in uncollected waste broke down and spread into the environment over two weeks, increasing the risk of contamination.
Keep Wales Tidy’s environmental audits (LEAMS) show a general decline in street dog fouling reports, but the problem persists in parks, rural paths, and other green spaces.
Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire said: “It’s encouraging to see fewer incidents of dog fouling on our streets, but this doesn’t tell the full story. We know that fouling continues to be a serious problem in parks and green spaces, especially as the nights draw in. Not only is it unpleasant, but it’s a genuine health hazard for people and pets. There’s no excuse – bag it, bin it, and help us keep Wales clean and safe for everyone.”
How to get involved:
• Be a responsible dog owner: Always bag and bin your dog’s waste.
• Tag your adventures: Share photos exploring Wales’s parks and green spaces using #BagitBinit and tag @KeepWalesTidy.
• Promote the campaign: Download free posters and social media materials from Keep Wales Tidy’s Brandbag toolkit to help spread the message.
For more information, visit keepwalestidy.cymru and help ensure we all “leave only pawprints” this autumn.
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