Councillor wants CCTV to catch dog fouling culprits

Councillor wants CCTV to catch dog fouling culprits

12 June 2013

A LOCAL politician has suggested using CCTV cameras in the district’s main towns to help catch people who let their dogs foul public areas.

Councillor Billy Walker believes the idea should be considered and plans to

raise the issue at a forthcoming meeting of Down Council.

His suggestion comes after Banbridge Council erected signs warning dog owners that it may use CCTV cameras to identify persistent offenders who do not clean up the mess their dogs leave behind.

Councillor Walker said Down District’s dog fouling has become an “epidemic” with no town or village not affected by lazy dog owners who refuse to clean up after their pets.

“Too many of our streets and pubic parks are being used by dog owners as open air toilets for their animals. This issue has been discussed by Down Council so many times and it is a problem we have not got to grips with,” he declared.

“While the vast majority of dog owners clean up after their pets and should be commended for doing so and showing civic pride in their respective areas, we have a hard core who don’t.”

Councillor Walker said Down Council should “explore all possibilities” to help identify dog owners who are breaking the law.

He said the local authority’s enforcement officers can’t be everywhere all the time which allows dog owners who break the law to get away with their “despicable behaviour.”

Councillor Walker continued: “It could be argued that the small minority of dog owners who are being irresponsible are actually breaching the human rights of the vast majority who are law abiding, responsible and who want to enjoy the outdoors.

“That’s why I believe Down Council should closely monitor the footage recorded by CCTV cameras in Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch to see if there are dog owners not cleaning up after their pets.”

Councillor Walker said it’s his understanding that the maximum fine which can be imposed on dog owners who allow their pets to foul public areas is £500, but that the majority of fixed penalty fines are in the region of £50.

He added: “Down District has a major dog fouling problem. I have no doubt ratepayers want councillors to look at all possible ways of addressing what has become an epidemic.”