Residents fed up with dog fouling

One concerned resident, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke out about the recent spike in dog fouling.

He said: “It is right outside my own front door on the footpaths. It is an issue because I have young children and it’s not really acceptable that it keeps happening.

“I’ve rang the dog warden on multiple occasions and I’ve had to get Environmental Health out to clean the streets a number of times.

“It is local residents walking their dogs at night when it is dark and not picking it up as they think no-one can see them.”

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council was unavailable for comment.

In November 2015, the council took three residents to court for failing to pay fixed penalty fines under The Dogs Order (NI) 1983 and were successful in each case.

At that time, Councillor Brian Hanvey, Chairman of the Council’s Environmental Services Committee, speaking about the importance of the Dog Warden Service, said: “I am very pleased that the vast majority of dog-owners and walkers in the council area are responsible and clean up after their pets, helping to make a more pleasant environment for all. However, a small minority of owners and walkers persist in letting their dogs foul in parks, on footpaths and in rural areas and the council will continue to take firm action against those owners who disregard the law.

“The council has powers in legislation to issue fixed penalties to those dog-owners and dog-walkers that fail to ‘scoop the poop’, licence their dogs and let their dogs stray.

“I hope that the above successes by the Council will act as a deterrent to offending dog-owners and encourage the remaining small minority to be more responsible.”

Residents are urged to ‘report dog fouling issues and help the council cut this problem down and keep the area clean ’ by calling 028 9250 9394.