08/03/2010

Dog fouling in Cloughey – a resident speaks out!

Dear Cloughey Website,

I wish to make my feelings known to the residents of Cloughey about dog fouling on our warren/beach area.

As a dog owner myself I take responsibility for clearing up after my dogs when exercising them in public places.  The warren and beach are particularly popular with dog owners, many of whom allow their dogs to run freely and also foul freely.  Many dog owners do not clear up after their pets and I have witnessed this on a number of occasions, often challenging those I 'catch in the act'.

However I was particularly distressed to discover on two recent visits to the children's play area with my 3 year old daughter, that some most inconsiderate dog owner has allowed their dog not only to fowl the play park itself, but at the very foot of the climbing frame right beside the ladders children use to go up and down the frame itself.  I have taken it upon myself to clear this mess up when I've found it but feel compelled to write this email and stress to local residents....this is our village, it is our responsibility to keep it clean and maintain its high standards.

In my opinion if you are a dog owner and do not pick up after your dog this is inexcusable!   Furthermore, as residents we are well aware that many of the dog walkers are visitors, so if you see anyone allowing their dog to foul and not clear it up, either kindly ask the person in question to clear up the dog mess or at least report it along with a car registration plate where applicable to the local council.

There is no valid reason for anyone, aside from sheer laziness, for not clearing up after their dog and particularly in a children's play park.  This park is used by local children and pupils from the nearby  primary school and to allow it to be used as a dog toilet is not only unhygienic – it is down right despicable! 

I should not have to take out extra dog bags in my pocket in order to clean up after someone else.

I would very much appreciate if you could publish this letter in a prominent place on your web page to draw the attention of this to encourage residents to work together and prevent this irresponsible and filthy practice from continuing to happen in Cloughey!

Mrs Sheila Lyons

 






Childrens play area at Main Road Cloughey, where some irresponsible dog owners allow their dogs to foul around the play equipment - even though there is a dog dirt collection bin right beside the playground.

  

CDCA says....
 

Dog walking doesn’t have to be a dirty business …

Cloughey Warren and beach are popular places for dog-walking.  There are laws in force obliging owners to collect dog dirt or face a fine.  To support these regulations, and to make it easier to comply, there are information signs about dog-fouling and special bins located on the Warren and beside the playground at Main Road..  Most dog owners in our district take responsibility for their dogs and are careful to collect and remove any faecal material (or dog-dirt) so that the area is left clean for other users. 

Be prepared

Anyone taking their dog (or dogs) for exercise in any public place, should be equipped to clear up after their animals.  When you walk your dog in a public place  (footpath, beach or warren) and you do not always bring suitable plastic bags, you are acting irresponsibly and causing annoyance to all other users of these public areas.

Just Act Responsibly

Dogs are almost always accompanied by their owners and there are very few stray dogs roaming the area. If all owners act responsibly and clear up after their dogs, the problem will disappear.

Take pride in our clean warren and beach

CDCA is committed to an anti-litter program as well as our successful beach clean-up which was recognised by Tidy NI with 2 awards in 2009.  Our aim is to have the cleanest beach area in Northern Ireland.  The assistance of responsible dog-owners will help us to achieve that aim.

How to report dog-fouling

Control of Dog fouling comes under the Council Dog Warden's office, and you can report it by ringing the office.in Newtownards (91824005).  Reports should include a description of the dog (or dogs) the place and date of the offending action, and the name/address or car registration number of the dog’s owner.  This will enable the Dog Warden team to identify and contact the owner and if necessary issue a warning or a fine.  

Notices have now been placed on the bins at the Warren asking 'Do you wnat to be the first person fined for dog offences in Cloughey?'

Well done Sheila

We applaud Sheila Lyons for taking a public stand on this issue and call on other users of the Warren.Beach area (whether dog-owners or not), to support her initiative and report or challenge anyone who does not clean up after their dogs.

Do you agree or have you any other comment to make on this subject?