Dog owners can now be reported for not cleaning up after pet

Dog owners can now be reported for not cleaning up after pet

15 October 2025

DOG owners who refuse to clean up after their pets can now be reported via a new online system.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council – which has been battling to get on top of the district-wide dog fouling issue – is behind the new initiative.

The local authority is encouraging people to take responsibility for picking up after their dog but recognises there is a hardcore of pet owners who refuse to do this.

Now an online system for people to report the law breakers has gone live with council officials insisting they will make every effort catch those responsible.

Dog owners are again being reminded that they should clean up after their dogs in public places, always carry a poop scoop or a dog waste bag to carry the mess to a bin – not leave it lying on the ground.

Anyone who spots dog owners not cleaning up after their pets is asked to provide council enforcement staff with the exact location, including postcode and street name and local landmarks, the time dog fouling happens and when the offending dog is usually walked.

In addition, council staff need to know the breed of the dog, including colour and size to help identify the animal.

Council officials say responsible dog ownership means that dogs must be under control at all times and that owners should clean-up after their pets.

Dog fouling is an issue which affects every town and village across the district with a hardcore of pet owners thumbing their nose against legislation.

If caught, they are issued with an immediate £80 fine, with those who refuse to pay the fine potentially facing legal action instigated by the council which could result in a fine up to £1,000 for dog fouling related offences.

Most significantly, council officials say dog mess is a nuisance and it’s associated with various diseases including toxocara canis which can lead to blindness in children.

Toxocara canis is a roundworm found in dogs and its eggs can easily be picked up by young children, leading to stomach upsets, sore throats, asthma and, in rare cases, blindness. 

The eggs can stay active in the soil for many years, long after the dog mess has weathered away.

A new public campaign aimed at tackling the district’s dog fouling and litter problems head-on was unveiled recently with the new online reporting system designed to beef this up.

The local authority says dog fouling is a particularly contentious issue and one of the single most complained about problems in the area. 

However, despite valiant efforts over recent years by council officials and others, the issue has not been adequately addressed and there is virtually no town or village not affected by it.

There is a hardcore of dog owners who point blankly refuse to clean up after their pets and this mindset is hard to fathom, with local politicians and councillors concerned that they are prepared to turn a blind eye to potentially harming children who come into contact with the mess their animals leave behind.

Politicians have become increasingly frustrated at the blatant disregard some dog owners and ratepayers are displaying and are keen to finally address the dog fouling problem and recognise the need to address those flagrantly breaking the law.

There are a number of notable dog fouling hot spots across the district and council officials hope that the new online reporting system will help identify persistent offenders and bring about a dramatic reduction in dog fouling which does nothing to enhance the district’s image.

They also recognise the importance of not tarring all dog owners with the same brush, but insist those in charge of dogs are responsible for controlling their behaviour in public.