It’s kind of in your face but the idea is to get the message out there – let your dog foul and pay the consequences.
Or, rather, the £80 fine.
These are the new signs which will be appearing across the borough as the ABC Council steps up its bid to tackle the growing problem of dog fouling and restore public confidence in its actions and ability to do so!
A major action plan is kicking into play and basically the council is insisting: ‘We mean business!’
Dog enforcement officers will soon become more visible – new uniforms and vehicle livery are in the pipeline.
There will be additional vans for use by environmental wardens provided later in the spring time.
Meanwhile, 14 vehicles – including a dozen bin lorries – will be carrying the newlyu-designed anti-fouling message, which officers say is “hard hitting and designed to highlight the objectionable nature of not picking up after a dog”.
Patrol resources are specifically targeted at key locations across the borough following ongoing reviews of complaint and street cleansing data.
In a report to councillors, officials highlight the current state of play, as they reveal: “Knowledge gained through social media community pages, elected representatives and the public continues to be the key data used to help decide where to deploy the wardens.
“We continue to monitor such incoming information and aim to remain flexible in reacting to the intelligence. This is a more effective use of resources in tackling problem areas in order to detect offenders, reassure public and residents that action is being taken and also to act as a deterrent to any offending.
“At many of these key areas, banners displaying the new campaign message of this phase of the Action Plan – ‘Your Dog, Your Mess, Your Fine’ aims to remind dog owners of their responsibility.
“It is planned that other initiatives – such as the pavement stencil messages and the spray paint – will be used over the next month at locations which, for example, are the focus of recent or repeated complaints or where we are working with local communities who wish to engage residents in tackling dog fouling.”
Extra money will also be spent on additional temporary appointments to supplement early morning, evening and weekend patrols.
Meanwhile, council officers also want the public to continue to report incidents and offenders, with the ‘Bin-ovation’ mobile app containing the ‘Report ‘It’ function; it was launched in December and continues to be promoted.
In addition, and following some delays around legal aspects, newly designed signs denoting ‘no fouling’ dog control area are being prepared and will be erected initially in key locations and parks across the borough over the next month.
Meanwhile, plans to introduce new legislation to ban dogs from play parks is also moving forward.
Following discussion at the September committee of the Environmental Committee, the recommendation was to proceed with the introduction of geographical Dog Control Orders on a phased approach, something which was approved in October.
A series of Dog Control Orders – such as ‘Dog Exclusion Order, ‘Dogs on leads’ and ‘Dogs on leads by direction’ – will be brought forward over the next year.
Armagh I previously revealed plans for these orders.
And work has already begun on a ‘Dog Exclusion Order on the proposal for exclusion of dogs from children’s play areas’.
Significant preparation has been completed mapping the areas and assessing for any specific enforcement details.
The proposed Order and maps are undergoing a 28-day public consultation period, which is due to close at 4pm on Friday, March 24.
It is the outcomes of that consultation will go before the April meeting of the Environmental Committee.
Further consideration will then be given to proceeding with ‘Dogs on leads’ and/or ‘Dogs on leads by Request’ Orders for other key areas within the borough.
ARMAGH: Blackwatertown Play Park, (excluding the public path); Tullysaran Play Park; Killylea Play Park; Middletown Play Park; Derrynoose Play Park; Keady Glen Play Park; Darkley Play Park; Clady Play Park (excluding the public path); Mountnorris Play Park; Loughgilly Play Park (excluding the public paths); Markethill Play Park (excluding the public paths); Gosford Forest Play Park; Mullaghbrack Play Area; Hamiltonsbawn Play Park; Tandragee Play Area; Laurelvale Play Park; Richhill Play Park; Broomhill Play Are; Annahugh Play Area; Loughgall Play Park; Alexander Play Park; Drumbreda Play Park; Cathedral Road Play Park; Navan Centre Play Area; Milford Play Park; The Kingston Memorial Play Area; Palace Play Park; Glenanne Community Garden Play Area (excluding the public paths).
BANBRIDGE: Cross Heights Play Area; Lissize Play Park; Rathfriland Play Park; Knock Terrace Play Park; Corbet Lough Play Park (excluding the public path); Millstone Close Play Park; Katesbridge Play Park; Frazer Park Play Area; Finnis Play Park; Kinallan Play Park; Mount Charles Play Park; Ashfield Play Park; Dromore Play Park; Fairview Park Play Area (excluding the public path); Thornhill Play Park (excluding the public paths); McCandless Terrace Play Park,; Ervine Park Play Park; Mourneview Play Park; Solitude Par (excluding the public paths); Cline Road Play Are; Huntly Park Play Area; Maglion Terrace Play Park; Loughbrickland Play Park (excluding the public paths); Scarva Play Park (excluding the public paths); Woodlands Play Park (excluding the public paths); Castleview Play Park; Locard Park; Lawerencetown Play Park (excluding the public paths); Hillside Play Park; Seapatrick Play Park.
CRAIGAVON: Rectory Park Play Area; Brownstown Play Area; Edgarstown Play Area; Drumilly Green Play Area; Ashgrove Community Centre Play Area; The Peoples Park Play Area; Edenvilla Park Play; Abercorn Play Area; Killicomaine Community Centre Play Area; Pleasure Gardens Play Area; Maghery Country Park Play Area; Milltown Play Area; Ardowen Play Area; Brownlow Hub Play Area; Clonmeen Play Area; Carrigart/Pinebank Play Area; Gibsons Hill Play Area; Watsonville Play Are; Cranny Terrace Play Area; Tannaghmore Gardens Play Area; Wolf Island Terrace Play Area; Kinnego Marina Play Area; Oxford Island Play Area; Aghagallon Play Area,; North Lurgan Community Play Area; Lord Lurgan Play Area; Beaumount Square Play Area; Wakehurst Play Area; Taghnevan Community Centre Play Area; Mourneview Community Centre Play Area; Avenue Road Community Centre Play Area; Lurgan Park Play Area; Dollingstown Play Area; Malcolmsons Park Play Area; Donaghcloney Play Area; Waringstown Play Area.
If you wish to respond, write to Environmental Health Department, Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Civic Centre, Lakeview Road, Craigavon, BT64 1AL; or submissions can also be emailed to ehealth@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.u
