Council wardens to target Omagh dogfouling hotspots

KEY ‘hotspots’ in the Omagh area are to be targeted with extra patrols as part of major new plan to stop dog poo from being left on the ground along popular walking routes.

Staff from the council have already carried out 400 patrols since the mid-January in an attempt to combat what has been described as a growing problem.

Now an additional six staff have been brought back from furlough as Fermanagh and Omagh Council bids to hammer home the dangers of dog poo not being cleaned up by pet owners.

They will target Arleston Park, the Riverside Walk, the Tamlaght Road, Old Dromore Road, Centenary Park, Donnelly’s Holm and the Kevlin Road.

John Boyle, the council’s director of community health and leisure, said they intended addressing the issue with a “real passion” and to target those areas where dog fouling was a big problem.

“We are going to hit those areas where the problems are clear at a time when dog owners are out walking their dogs,” he said.

“It is planned to employ additional staff for dog patrols during the morning and evening peak times and the provision of CCTV where there is a high incidence of dog fouling is also being examined.”

The council has not ruled out using DNA evidence from dogs to track down the owners who fail to collect their canine’s mess.

They have also warned that fixed penalty notices of up to £75 can be imposed on owners. Omagh Sinn Féin councillor, Barry McElduff, said local amenities in the town were being spoiled by the problem of dog fouling.

“There is a need to hold owners to account because I have been contacted by a large number of people concerned at the mess being left behind by dogs and the failure of their owners to clean up after them,” he said.

“It is very much a case of ‘stand clear’ in some parts of Omagh, although I do acknowledge the many responsible dog owners who do pick up their dog’s excrement and are also annoyed at the failure of some others to tidy up after their dog.”

Independent councillor, Josephine Deehan, warned that coming into contact with dog mess can cause serious health problems, while Sinn Fein’s Padraigin Kelly, warned that the issue is also a major one in local rural villages.

The council is to employ a private marketing firm to ‘educate and raise awareness’ about the issue among dog owners.

It also plans engage with local communities to highlight the Green Dog Walkers Scheme.