Name and shame bad dog owners says Walker

Name and shame bad dog owners says Walker

20 February 2013

A LOCAL politician has called for dog owners who allow their pets to use public areas as open air toilets to be “named and shamed.”

Councillor Billy Walker’s comments come after the DUP carried out a survey in Ballynahinch and Saintfield, with dog fouling and litter the top issues highlighted.

The local politician said dog fouling is a problem which the district has struggled to get to grips with. He believes dog owners issued with fixed penalty notices for not cleaning up after their pets, should be named in the press.

Councillor Walker said people who breach Down Council’s drinking alcohol in public bye-laws are named and believes this policy should be extended to what he described as “irresponsible dog owners.”

The recent surveys were conducted by Strangford Assemblyman Simon Hamilton, and the vast majority of people who responded expressed concern about dog fouling.

Areas of concern included Downpatrick Street and the Fair Green in Saintfield and the Lisburn Road and Crossgar Road junction area in Ballynahinch.

Councillor Walker said the sight of dog dirt lying on footpaths and main streets “disgusts many people” and he hopes dog owners will get the message that they need to be more responsible.

He said while the majority of owners religiously clean up after their animals, there are those who don’t and ignore the mess left by their pets which can have a major impact on children’s health in particular.

“I hope all dog owners will get the message that not cleaning up after their pets is unacceptable. Maybe if Down Council started to name and shame owners who are caught it would send out a message to others.

“We are fortunate to live in one of the most scenic areas of Northern Ireland, but dog fouling is a major issue and one which we have not yet tackled effectively.”