Council planning dog crackdown

Council planning dog crackdown

9 May 2012

IT will soon be illegal for dog owners to allow their animals to roam free along Newcastle promenade and the adjoining beach.

Down Council is to use tough new legislation to force dog owners to keep their pets on a lead at all times while walking in these key areas in the resort.

The new law could be introduced before the end of the summer and will also require dog owners to clean up after their pets. Those who don’t fine face a fine of £80.

While Down Council’s initial focus is on Newcastle, it accepts the dog fouling problem is a district-wide issue that needs to be addressed and it’s likely that other areas will be stipulated in the near future.

Councillors hope the increased powers they have been given under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act will allow them to get tough with dog owners who don’t control their dogs and clean up after them.

A senior council official told last week’s meeting of the local authority’s Environment Committee that controlling dogs at the promenade and beach will also make many people feel less apprehensive.

Mr. Tony McCrory said the council wants to ensure people are safe and that the dog fouling problem is tackled. But he said it will take a number of months before the new rules can be introduced.

“We are not talking about an instantaneous process. We would like to have these new powers in place as soon as possible and before we can proceed we require full council approval,” he added.

Councillor Carmel O’Boyle said she was disappointed it’s likely to be a few months before the new legislation becomes effective as the summer season has started.

“People who arrive at the promenade open their car boots and the dogs run off and the sooner this new law comes into operation the better,” she added.

Councillor Eamonn O’Neill highlighted problems with dog faeces on the beach and explained animals belonging to local residents frequent the area without their owners and that this has been happening for a great many years.

Councillor Garth Craig said it was irresponsible dog owners who don’t clean up after their pets who give others who do a bad name. He said the additional powers the council has to ensure dogs are kept on a lead at Newcastle promenade and the beach will be welcomed by many people.

Councillor Patrick Clarke said for many years “irresponsible” dog owners have used Newcastle beach and promenade as a recreation and dog fouling area for their pets which has caused inconvenience to walkers and tourists.