Under the Litter (NI) Order 1994 it is illegal for anyone in charge of a dog not to clean up after the animal. All dog faeces must be removed from public places.

Dog fouling is a complex and emotive issue. Look in any local newspaper and you will see a catalogue of complaints. Many will direct their wrath at the Council for not promptly removing the mess - rather than the root cause of the problem: irresponsible dog owners who show every contempt for their environment and neighbours. Ironically, those who profess to be offended by dog fouling are often the offenders.

Punishment

Like any crime, dog fouling is punishable. The owner or the keeper or the person in charge of the dog may be given a fixed penalty notice of £50. You have the choice of paying it or going to court. If taken to court and found to be guilty of the offence the owner could then be subject to a maximum penalty of £500 plus court costs.

Council Action

Newtownabbey Borough Council is forced to clean up dog waste as a necessary measure in protecting the community from the dangers of infected dog faeces. Every year Newtownabbey Borough Council spends thousands of pounds of ratepayers' money on street cleaning and enforcement action, money which could be better spent enhancing the facilities of the Borough if only responsible dog owners 'SCOOPED THE POOP'.

Owners should automatically bring a poop-scoop or a disposable plastic bag with them before leaving home with their dog.

Newtownabbey Borough Council is very aware of the problem this antisocial behaviour brings and has put in place a number of measures designed to promote a more responsible attitude towards dog ownership and apprehend and make amenable those who continually act in an irresponsible manner. They include:

• Extra wardens for patrol at peak times - the early mornings, evenings and weekends when owners are most active with their dogs.
• Increased the number of specialist dog waste bins in parks and residential areas.
• Purchased and erected 'NO FOULING' metal signs.
• Purchased special machines for removing dog mess.
• Raising public awareness by organising 'Dog Days'
• Publishing a 'Good Dog Guide' booklet.
• Distributing complimentary poop scoops to licensed dog owners in the borough.

Report Dog Fouling

To report dog fouling, particularly owners who persistently do not clean up after their dogs, please call the council on 028 9034 0160 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or email envhealth@newtownabbey.gov.uk