Councillors call for clamp down on dog fouling

There are calls for a clampdown on dog-fouling in Belfast after more than 1,000 complaints last year but relatively few fines.

Only 10 fixed penalty notices have been issued since April 2023, according to the latest figures released by Belfast City Council.

DUP councillor Ruth Brooks said "the system is broken" while SDLP councillor Gary McKeown called for a "fundamental review" of the city's strategy to tackle dog-fouling.

He compared avoiding dog mess in parts of Belfast to facing an obstacle course in the TV programme The Krypton Factor.

McKeown told the monthly meeting of Belfast City Council: "It's a health hazard, it's an environmental hazard and at a very basic level, it's absolutely disgusting. I am sick listening about it.

"I see children treading it in on their way to school or out for a walk with their parents - it's not good enough.

"I'm embarrassed having to go back to people saying 'I'm sorry to hear about that, that's disgusting'."

Figures obtained by Brooks, after a freedom of information request to Belfast City Council, showed that there were 1,172 complaints about dog-fouling last year but, at most, 10 fines handed out.

Brooks called for more "pro-active enforcement" of existing measures to tackle dog-fouling.

She said some community events in east Belfast had been cancelled because parkland areas had so much dog mess.

The council has 12 full-time dog warden posts, and park wardens are also authorised to tackle dog-fouling.

The fine is currently £80, reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days.

A number of councillors, including the Alliance Party's Jenna Maghie, have said that higher fines should be considered.

It is understood that a maximum of £200 could be implemented.

Increases have been discussed before but not agreed.

Sinn Féin councillor Claire Canavan pointed out that the problem is being caused by a "small minority who aren't picking up after their dogs".

"People need to catch themselves on," she said.

She praised the council cleansing staff who pick up the mess that dog owners leave behind.

The four largest parties on the council all raised the dog fouling issue at Tuesday evening's meeting of the full 60-member council.

The People and Communities Committee at City Hall plans to discuss the matter again later this month.

Sharon Vennard, 41, lives in south Belfast with her husband and two young sons.

She is becoming increasingly frustrated with the dog fouling on the family's daily walk to school which she says is a "huge issue" in the area.

"Recently my two-year-old came out of a shop in our local area and tripped and fell right into dog poo.

"I was very concerned he would get it in his eye and it was very upsetting for him.

"I walk my older child to school and there have been occasions he has walked through dog poo – and has had to wear his PE shoes and his classroom assistant has had to hose his shoes down which is very embarrassing for a child."

Mrs Vennard said she had complained to the council twice and was told there would be more wardens in the area.

"But my problem is that if someone sees a warden they will lift their dog poo as they are afraid of getting caught," she said.

"It's more trying to catch people out who are repeat offenders who are taking their dog for a walk in cover of darkness and are not responsible dog owners or turning their back and pretending not to notice.

"It gets to the stage when it's about the health and safety of children and it's very serious."