Dog owners: Clean up your act!

AN increasing number of irresponsible dog owners in Portrush are placing the public and visitors to the area at risk.

That's the stark warning issued by Environmental Health officials at Coleraine Borough Council following an increased number of complaints received recently.

Concerned about the increasing severity of the situation officials have stepped up their campaign to get every dog owner to clean up their act and carry a poop scoop.

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Council Dog Wardens have increased patrols in the worse affected areas of the Borough, specifically targeting West Strand, Ramore Head and East Strand, following a the complaints received by the Environmental Health Department. The Dog Wardens will be looking out for dog owners who are not picking up after their pooch, and encouraging them to act responsibly.

Kieran Doherty, Director of Environmental Health at Coleraine Borough Council appealed for the co-operation of the public and advises offenders that there is an automatic fixed penalty fine of 50 for allowing their dog to foul in a public area.

He said: "In 2009 The Environmental Health Department received 245 complaints from concerned members of the public about the activities of irresponsible dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs.

"The number of complaints has increased in recent weeks to the extent that several are being dealt with on a daily basis. It is disappointing that so many dog owners continue to exercise their dogs and fail to fulfil their obligation of picking up after them. This is not only breaking the law but is exposing the public, especially the vulnerable, to a health hazard.

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Coleraine Borough Council has a number of poop scoops and bag dispensers to give out to anyone who wants to 'clean up their act', please contact the Environmental Health Department on 7034 7171 to avail of this opportunity.

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