December 16, 2025, 12:12 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Those who don’t clean up after their dogs while walking them risk drastically different fines depending on where they live–ranging from just five to 10,000 euros. A nationwide comparison by “Hundemagazin.com” shows: The rules are strict but often confusing. This overview reveals where owners have to dig deep into their pockets for leaving “piles” and how fines, warnings, and administrative costs differ.
Dog Waste as a Public Order Issue–Significant Fine Disparities in German Cities
In many German cities, uncollected dog waste is a daily nuisance for everyone. And a case for the public order office. To ensure public cleanliness on sidewalks, in parks, and especially on playgrounds, municipalities resort to fines. However, the amount varies greatly: Those who don’t remove their dog’s waste can expect a warning fine of up to 150 euros–in some cases, even significantly more.
City Comparison Shows Significant Differences
“Hundemagazin.com” inquired with 80 large German cities and received responses from 69. The nationwide comparison of the largest German cities presents a confusing picture: While the average fine is 66 euros, the range is enormous.
- The highest fines for a first offense: In Kaiserslautern, Karlsruhe, and Offenbach am Main, at least 150 euros are due.
- The cheapest for “pile leavers” is in Leipzig–where the warning fine starts at just five euros.
- In cities like Berlin, Essen, or Dortmund, between 75 and 100 euros are required.
How strictly it is enforced, however, depends on the individual case–such as with repeat offenders or if the dog waste is left in particularly sensitive areas. In Mannheim, for example, a violation in a sandbox can increase the fine from 100 to 250 euros.
Some Cities Allow Fines Up to 10,000 Euros–Theoretically
Even though the standard rate, for example in the capital, is 80 euros, the fine regulations allow penalties up to 10,000 euros–such as when neither bags are carried nor waste is removed. In practice, however, this rarely occurs.
Comparison by Federal States
The city comparison also shows a clear regional disparity:
- Hesse: Ø 109 euros
- Baden-Württemberg: Ø 99 euros
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Ø 64 euros
- Berlin: 80 euros
- Saxony (e.g., Leipzig): Ø 30 euros
Especially in eastern and northern German cities, fines are often lower, sometimes only between 20 and 55 euros. Whether a higher fine is threatened in the case of a repeat offense is usually at the discretion of the authorities.
Fine or Warning? The Legal Distinction
Not every municipality automatically issues a fine. Some cities differentiate:
- Warning fine (up to 55 euros): For minor administrative offenses, such as small piles, usually without administrative proceedings.
- Fine (from 60 euros): Formal procedure with additional administrative fee, e.g., 28.50 euros in Stuttgart.
Additionally, those who (intentionally or unintentionally) do not have a waste bag can also be fined–in Bottrop from 55 euros, in Berlin from 60 euros.
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Offenses Mostly Go Unnoticed
The analysis by “Hundemagazin.com” also shows: A large portion of offenses goes unnoticed–because the responsible parties must be caught in the act. In 2024, according to the surveyed cities, a total of 116 offenses were documented–an average of 2.76 cases per city.
Most reports came from Berlin (13 cases) and Essen (12 cases). However, the number of unreported cases is likely significantly higher.
Why Leaving “Piles” Is No Trivial Offense
For walkers and residents, stepping into a disgusting pile is primarily an annoyance. But for dog owners themselves, the walk can quickly become a gauntlet. Dog waste is not only an aesthetic problem but also an underestimated health risk.
Many pets excrete various parasites–often without visible symptoms. Even if a dog appears healthy, its waste can contain pathogens. Particularly insidious: The eggs of many worms are microscopically small and remain infectious even after the pile has long decayed.
The pathogens remain in the grass, where they become an invisible danger to humans and animals. “The next toddler crawling over it and then putting their thumb in their mouth could possibly get infected,” explained veterinarian Tina Hölscher previously in this PETBOOK article: Why it is so important to properly dispose of dog waste.
The same applies to other dogs–many like to sniff at foreign piles or even take some of it in and can thus continue to get infected. Proper disposal is therefore not without reason one of the basic rules of courtesy among dog owners. It protects not only other people but also their own four-legged friends.