Belfast City Council dog fouling 'hotspots' set to trial special bins to create 'cleaner streets'

By Local Democracy Reporter Michael Kenwood

Special bins are to be placed at Council identified dog fouling "hotspots" across Belfast.

Elected members of Belfast City Council have agreed to a joint Green Party/DUP motion to trial specific dog fouling bins, in a bid to provide solutions to the ongoing dog fouling issues blighting the city.

The motion states: "Using data provided by members of the public, elected members and data gathered through the customer hub, hotspots will be identified with specific dog fouling bins to be placed in each quadrant of the city. Council officers will also look at best-practice with other councils on the use of the street bins to deal with dog fouling."

Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn, who proposed the motion, said: "I am delighted that the council has agreed our proposal for a common-sense approach to dealing with dog fouling in our communities. It is a persistent problem across Belfast, with our constituents constantly raising the matter in problem areas of the city.

"Our approach to tackling this issue centres around prevention, enforcement and communication.

"The provision of smaller street bins along hot spots in the city is about preventing dog fouling from first occurring.

"If we encourage people to pick up after their dog there should be an appropriate spot nearby to dispose of the waste.

"As well as this, councillors along with council officers will be focused on providing long term solutions around enforcement and communication campaigns, so that every dog owner understands their responsibilities around how to be a responsible dog owner."

In a report from council officers, elected members will be provided with a cost benefit analysis to determine ongoing administration costs for a street bins scheme in the future.

DUP Councillor Ruth Brooks, who seconded the motion, said: "During the recent election, there was a real emphasis from rate-payers for council to get back to tackling the basics.

"I am delighted to second this motion, as it provides a practical and an alternative solution to tackling dog fouling across our city.

"Many of the popular dog walking routes are not serviced by any public bin.

"In encouraging dog owners to act responsibly, there is only an onus on the council to provide the necessary bin infrastructure for dog fouling disposal.

"Other councils in Northern Ireland successfully provide the slimline bins that can be attached to lampposts or standalone poles.

"By trialling these bins in the hotspots, we want to see a reduction in dog fouling and cleaner streets."

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