Explanatory note

This Order prescribes the form of notices under section 4 of the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. Notices under section 4 may be given by an authorised officer of a local authority (including a person employed for the purpose by the authority, and any employee of that person) to a person who he has reason to believe has committed an offence under section 3 of that Act (offence of failing to remove dog faeces). The effect of giving the notice is that no proceedings shall be instituted for the offence before the expiration of fourteen days following the date of the notice, and that a person who pays the fixed penalty within that period shall not be convicted of the offence. The Order also increases the amount of the fixed penalty for the purposes of the Act from £10 to £25.