Press Release

National Poop Scoop Week

Tuesday 24th June 2008

Derry City Council has joined the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, in urging all Local Authorities to get behind the National Poop Scoop Week campaign to help tackle dog fouling.

The national drive to clear our public spaces of dog poop has been taking place throughout this week in a bid to encourage dog-owners to be responsible with their pets in public areas.

Enda Cummins, Senior Environmental Health Officer for Derry City Council said

“It is important that dog owners realise that the mess left by their dog is both a nuisance and a serious health hazard. We would urge dog owners to act responsibly and use the free poop scoop bags that are readily available from Council offices and leisure centres throughout the city. People need to play their part in ensuring that our parks, streets and walkways are places for all our citizens to enjoy.”

“Dog faeces can contain a number of things which can make people ill, best known of which is the infection caused by toxocara canis (round worm). The eggs of this worm can result in a range of symptoms from aches and pains to bronchial conditions. In rare cases, eyesight may be damaged; there have been a number of recorded cases in Northern Ireland, including Derry where children have lost sight in one eye.”

Problem areas are currently being patrolled by Council dog wardens; anyone who fails to clean up after their dog will be issued with a £50.00 fixed penalty notice. In court the maximum fine for dog fouling under the Litter (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 is £500. Similarly a dog owner whose dog strays will be issued with a fixed penalty notice or could be taken to court where the maximum fine is £200.00. It should be noted that if a dog is unaccompanied outside its owner’s property, for example in the street, it is straying.

For further information or to collect poop scoop bags contact Derry City Council 028 71365151.

Ends

For additional information contact:

Press Office

return to previous page