Dog fouling

Report dog foul

Help us clamp down on dog fouling by reporting it, you can:

Report dog fouling online

• Email dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk
• Call us on 028 9027 0431

We want to know:

• Where the dog fouling is – the exact location will really help, include street names, areas, or landmarks.
• The time you think the dog fouling happens – do you know what time the offending dog is usually walked?
• What the dog looks like – if you know the colour, breed or size this will help us identify the offender.

Disposing of dog foul

The dog owner is responsible for cleaning up after their dog.

You should always pick up your dog waste and put it in the nearest litter bin. You can use any plastic bag and any litter bin, including your black bin at home. Don't put dog waste in your blue or brown bins as this can contaminate them.

If you do not pick up after your dog, you may receive a £80 fixed penalty notice. If paid within 10 days, the fine will be reduced to £50.

If you don’t pay this fine, we can take you to court where the fine could increase to up to £1,000.

Tips 

• Carry a plastic bag or 'poop scoop' with you
• Teach your dog to go to the toilet in your garden before you leave home
• Don't let your dog onto the street to foul
• Respect dog-free areas

Pay a fine for dog fouling

You can pay a fine online for any dog fouling offences.

You'll need to enter your fixed penalty reference number which is on the top left of the fixed penalty notice. Please enter your reference number and surname in the exact format they appear on the notice. You will also need to enter your email address so we can send you a payment confirmation.

Pay a fine

Before you pay, please read the terms and conditions for online services and our privacy statement.

Dog fouling fines

Our Dog Enforcement Team is actively patrolling our parks and streets to remind owners about responsible dog ownership.

View how many dog control fines have been issued

Design a billboard challenge

If dog poo is an issue around your local area or school grounds, enter our 'design a billboard competition' and make a positive impact on your community.

We are asking schools to design a billboard poster based on the theme, ‘The impact of dog fouling in our community’. We will choose four winners, and the winning designs will be placed on a 48 sheet adverting billboard in the local area.

This challenge is for P5 to P7, and each year group may apply.

How to enter

1. Register your school for the competition by emailing EnvironmentalOutreach@Belfastcity.gov.uk
2. We will arrange to visit your school to discuss issues around dog fouling, the competition terms and conditions and how to design an eye-catching and behaviour-changing billboard with the pupils and staff.
3. We will deliver the competition materials which you should use to produce your entry.
4. The closing date for finished entries was ­­21 April 2023 and we will arrange a suitable date to collect your entry.
5. The judging panel will announce the winners week commencing 29 May.
6. The winning posters will be displayed on billboards in the winner's local area.

The Billboard Challenge is part of our campaign aiming to reduce dog fouling across Belfast. 

Once we receive your confirmation of interest we will contact you to discuss the next steps.