A Northern Ireland council is to implement Dog Control Orders to restrict areas where dogs will be allowed.

The move by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council follows a public consultation and review period.

Taking affect on 01 December, the orders mean dogs will no longer be allowed on certain land within the council area, namely play areas, MUGAs, artificial pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts and golf courses.

It's hoped the restrictions, under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, will help promote responsible dog ownership across the area. They will supplement the council's ongoing work of educational and awareness raising activities, partnership working with community groups and collaborative working across the council.

Members of the public are encouraged to comply with the Dog Control Orders to avoid fines of up to £1,000.

The all year round exclusion applies to Kirkwoods Road Playing Fields, Lough Moss Playing Field beside the MUGA, Glenmore Playing Fields and Billy Neill pitches 4, 6 and 7.

Access to the majority of playing fields will be restricted to between 01 May to 31 August and on a small number of pitches dogs will be prohibited all year-round.

Dogs owners are also required to make sure their pets are kept on a lead in cemeteries, burial grounds and caravan parks in the council area.

In addition, in open spaces were the public are entitled to enter, a council officer may request that a dog be placed on a lead where necessary to prevent nuisance, annoyance or disturbance to a person or other animal.

The council will be placing new signage in its parks, football pitches and other relevant facilities to let dog walkers know which areas they must avoid and where they should keep the dog on a lead or have the dog off the lead but under control.

Welcoming these orders, Alderman Tim Morrow, Vice-Chair of the council's Environmental Services Committee said: "The powers available under these Dog Control Orders are a useful tool to the ongoing work of the council in promoting responsible dog ownership and seeking to address all dog related issues across the city. We encourage our residents and visitors to think of others when they are exercising their dog in our parks and green spaces by cleaning up after their dog, keeping it under control and on a lead in all identified areas."

Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of the council's Leisure & Community Development Committee added: "Our parks and green spaces are for the enjoyment of everyone. This is very hard to achieve when some individuals fail to respect communal green spaces by not cleaning up after their dog. We will also be taking measures to ensure that those using our football pitches tidy up the area after the matches so that users do not have to deal with rubbish lying about which is irresponsible and unsightly."

The vast majority of park and green space users are responsible and do clean up after their dog or dispose of their rubbish, which helps make it a more pleasant environment for all which is fantastic. However, a small minority of individuals persist in letting their dogs foul in parks, don't have control of their dogs or leave litter. These are who the council will target and fine.

Click here to view the Dog Control Orders in full and view the signage.



(JG/MH)