Promoting the pilot 'Big Scoop Campaign' in the Laurelhill area are: Marty O'Boyle, Enforcement Officer; Councillor James Baird, Chairman of the Council's Environmental Services Committee; Ronnie Milsop, Regional Campaign Manager, Dogs Trust; Joanne MacAskill, Senior Enforcement Officer and Mitzi who is owned by Bertie McLaughlin.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and Dogs Trust are working together on the ‘Love Lines’ Big Scoop Campaign to tackle dog fouling in the Laurelhill area of the City.

It’s a fact; we live in a nation of dog lovers, with over eight million dogs in the UK. However, with that many pooches it’s no surprise that dog fouling has topped the list of the nation’s biggest bugbears, more than smoking, littering and pollution.

To try and tackle the issue and promote responsible dog ownership, Dogs Trust has joined forces with the Council to encourage local dog owners to pick up after their dog. The Charity has launched an installation in Laurelhill featuring catchy memorable slogans on dog fouling promotional material placed across the area.  This is intended to encourage dog owners to pick up after their dogs and to remind them that ‘any public bin will do’ when getting rid of doggy doo

Councillor James Baird, Chairman of the Council’s Environmental Services Committee, speaking about this campaign, said: “The Council is delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside Dogs Trust to raise awareness of the importance of dog walkers and dog owners cleaning up after their dogs.  As the campaign states ‘any bin will do’ and the Council will ensure all its street bins in the area are clearly marked to promote this fact and for the use by dog walkers.

“Throughout the year, the Council carries out routine patrols and undertakes spot checks in urban and rural areas across the City to ensure that people are being responsible and ‘scooping the poop’. Anyone failing to clean up after their dog will be fined £50 if observed by a Council Dog Warden or a member of the public who can then report the offence to the Council,” concluded Councillor Baird."

Alex Jackson, Head of Campaigns at Dogs Trust added:  “Dog poo is one of the biggest complaints received by local authorities every year. Last year alone local authorities in the UK received more than 81,000 complaints from the public, which is why we are pleased to be working with them to make everyone aware of how simple disposing of dog mess can be.

“Failing to pick up after your dog gives other dogs and their owners a bad name, and, whilst it is a small minority who don’t scoop their dogs poop, we are hoping The Big Scoop, Dogs Trust nationwide poop campaign, will remind everyone to help keep their local area dog poo free, prompt other owners to pick up dog mess and dispose of it in any public bin. We are really grateful to Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council for helping Dogs Trust in our mission to make Laurelhill poop-free.”

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council would urge residents to please report dog fouling issues and help the Council cut this problem down by calling 028 9049 4500 to help the Council keep local communities clean.

The Big Scoop campaign launched nationwide on 31st August and the Charity hopes it will encourage all dog owners to pick up after their dog, and dispose of dog poo in any public bin.

However, Dogs Trust hopes the message resonates with dog owners throughout the year. Owners could be fined £50 if they fail to pick up after their dog.

For further details visit www.dogstrust.org.uk