Leave No Trace – only paw prints!

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is stepping up efforts to help address the issue of increased dog fouling throughout the District with the roll out of new signage to encourage dog owners to clean up after their dog.

Dog foul is a nuisance for everyone and it is also hazardous to health.  Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act NI (2011), allowing your dog to foul without cleaning up afterwards is an offence and it could result in a fixed penalty notice.

The Council is a member of Leave No Trace Ireland and strives to promote the seven Principles which include littering and dog fouling.  The aim of the Leave No Trace is to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation to protect our natural and cultural heritage.  This also contributes to the achievement of the Environment outcome of the Fermanagh and Omagh Community Plan 2030 – to ensure our District is an attractive and accessible place and where our natural environment and built and cultural heritage is sustainably managed and, where possible, enhanced.

Speaking about the new signage, the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson, said “The Council invests a considerable amount of time and money each year to keep our towns, villages, small settlements and countryside clean and safe for everyone.  The majority of dog walkers are responsible, however, there are still some who are not.  By taking simple steps and cleaning up after your dog, ensuring you leave no trace, you can play your part to support the Street Cleansing teams, ensure our District is welcoming and attractive and help protect the environment and our people.”

The Council also offers the Green Dog Walkers Scheme, a UK wide community-based initiative, which encourages dog owners and dog walkers to pledge to clean up after their dog and to offer other dog owners dog poop bags.

Click here for more information on the Green Dog Walkers Scheme.