Walker Calls For Strict Clamp Down On Dog Fouling

Councillor Billy Walker has expressed his frustration at the the amount of ongoing dog fouling across the Newry Mourne and Down Ditsrict area.

“Enough is enough,” vented DUP Cllr Billy Walker who has received numerous complaints from his constituents in the Rowallene area on the perennial problem of dog fouling.

Cllr Walker said: “Basically it is time our council got tough on dog fouling. In Donegal there is a maximum €3000 fine for dog foulers. This is a real deterrent and it works!

“Our local Newry Mourne and Down council needs to be more proactive and slam these environmental offenders hard for making a mess of our lovely environment. Over the years council has tried a few initiatives but to little effect.

“What we really need to do is change the legislation in Northern Ireland that limits the fines that local councils can set. Craigavon council once set up new signs and ran a very successful anti-dog fouling campaign and it reduced the fouling by a staggering 95%.

“So our Enforcement Officers need to be seen to be effective. Councils not just in my home town of Killyleagh but across the whole of Northern Ireland need to collectively address this issue.

“At the moment the area round the harbour in Killyleagh is just a total disgrace with dog poo and it is just not god enough to let this continue.”

Cllr Walker said the councillor had debated the recurring issue until they were “blue in the face” and added that “firm action is now required.”

He indicated that it would be a positive step if other councils also supported this proposal to get tough and lobby the NI Assembly to change the legislation around dog fouling penalties which is currently set at a maximum of £90.

“And we could receive support too from the NI Local Government Association and the National Association of Councils on this matter. Ultimately, the decision lies at the feet of Stormont, literally.

“Dog poo can spread disease especially in young people and it should be dealt with as a matter of public health concern.

“Other areas do not tolerate this sort of behaviour so we need to address the issue urgently especially before summer when more people will be out walking their dogs.”