Mid Ulster MLA urges council to consider '˜increased enforcement' over dog mess

Mrs Overend said she has had a number of complaints from constituents on the matter and has written to the council asking them to act.

“I have recently been contacted by a number of constituents concerned at the prevalence of dog fouling in Moneymore,” she explained.

“Parents have had to clean their children’s feet in the pond of the local park, such was the extent of the problem.

“I am aware that unfortunately this problem is not restricted to Moneymore, and I have previously received reports of issues in other towns and villages.

“Not only is this unsightly, it is also associated with various diseases, and is costly to send council staff out to individual sites to perform clean-up operations as a result of irresponsible dog owners.

“Those caught... need to be rigorously dealt with.”