Dog poo is on the increase on our streets according to the latest statistics.
Down News spoke to both Ards and North Down Borough Council and Newry and Mourne District Council and the figures are quite alarming.
The number of fines issued by Ards and North Down Borough Council for dog fouling and littering offences has doubled in the past year.
In the Ards and North Down area 232 fixed penalties were issued from April to September 2016 compared with 120 for the same period last year. This increase is thanks to the continued vigilance and hard work of the Council’s Neighbourhood Environment Team and Environmental Wardens. The officers target dog fouling and litter hot spots at key times, including early morning, evenings and weekends.
The Council continues to use existing measures such as dog poop bins, litter and dog fouling signs, its school education programme and its street cleaning service, to tackle the issue also.
Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Deborah Girvan, appealed to members of the local community for their help tackling the issue. She said: “Ards and North Down Borough Council is committed to ensuring we make the best of the natural, cultural and environmental assets in our borough.
“I would ask everyone to join us in helping to keep our area clean by disposing of litter and dog waste properly; we all have a legal responsibility to do so. Used dog poop bags can be disposed of in ordinary litter bins, so there is no excuse for not cleaning up!
“Residents can also help us tackle the issue by reporting offenders to the Council’s Neighbourhood Environment Team.
“The penalty for littering or allowing your dog to foul in a public place is £80 with a maximum fine in the courts of £1,000 for dog fouling and £2,500 for littering offences.”
Shannon Speaks Out On Dog Fouling
Strangford MP Jim Shannon MP has written to Ards and North Down Council asking for a clean up to be done of Kiltonga Wildlife Reserve and also to have the wardens pay particular attention to the area as the dog fouling in the area.
He said: “Just the other week, the dog fouling was shocking, and indeed I know of a young child who fell on the path and landed in a pile of dog poo which can be dangerous. This is such a beautiful area of the town and it is a little haven for those who want a walk in the busy day and children especially love the wildlife.
“Any time I have driven past this area there are cars parked without fail and the blight of dog fouling and littering gives a bad taste to what is otherwise a beautiful wee spot. The Council must give this area some time and consideration with the wardens out to ensure that the message is sent that those who allow their dogs to foul and do not clean it up will be liable for a fine. As I have said this area is a haven and we must all work to keep it as such.”
For further information or to report an issue contact the Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Environment Team on: 0300 013 3333
or Newry Mourne and Down District Council’s Neighbourhood Environmental Team on: 0300 013 2233.
Newry Mourne and Down District Council has issued the following fixed penalty notices in the last two years:
1 November 2014- 31 October 2015: 25 Dog fouling and 127 littering.
1 November 2015- 31 October 2016: 32 Dog Fouling and 224 littering.
In the legacy Down District Council area, Litter Wardens work a seven day rota ranging from 7am – 6pm Sunday to Thursday and up to 11pm on Friday and Saturday.
Litter Wardens are also available to work any evenings, if required, to aid detections.
In the legacy Newry District Council area, Enforcement Officers work 37 hours per week between 7.45am – 6pm and are also available to work evening or weekend patrols when required.
The Councils have called for all responsible dog owners to use a poop scoop if necessary and dispose of the waste properly in a bin at home.
Danger: dog fouling can cause Toxocara Canis, a disease caused by roundworms. This can affect children significantly causing vomiting, tummy upsets, sore throats, asthma and in extreme cases, multi-locular cysts develop in the eye sockets and can lead to blindness.
Allowing dog poo to ‘naturally’ disappear is ineffective as the worm eggs are active for years later in the area contaminated. It is always best to carry a plastic disposal bag, an even a pair of disposable gloves (just in case!)
So be a responsible pet owner, and scoop the poop!
