Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

            “1.    Relevant Background Information

At its August 2012 meeting the Parks and Leisure Committee adopted a recommendation that a Dog Control Order be made in respect of dog fouling. The Dogs (Fouling of Land by Dogs) (Belfast) Order 2012 became operative on 1 October 2012, replacing the dog fouling provisions contained in the Litter (NI) Order 1994.

The Order limiting to four dogs the number which a person may take on to land was considered at the Health and Environmental Services Committee on 7 November last. The recommendation to limit the number of dogs was subject to public consultation and the order was endorsed by the Council and became operative on 1 April 2013.

At its November 2012 meeting, the Committee agreedthe recommended approach to deciding whether or not to make a dogcontrol order excluding dogs from cemeteries, children’s playgrounds andplaying fields or pitches in the city. This order was subjected to publicconsultation at the same time.

The Council therefore provided clarification on the meaning of

‘exclusions’ within the draft Order and stressed that the exclusion fromland Order was, in effect, repeating the terms of existing bye-laws whilstgiving the Council stronger enforcement powers.

Issues were raised about the need for facilities to allow dogs off lead. Thisrefers to the order requiring dogs to be kept on a lead in designated areaswhich was still under consideration by the Dog Control group and proposals had not been brought forward at this stage.Due to the public response, the consultation on the exclusion from landsorder was suspended to allow further clarification and consideration of theissues raised.The Dog Control Group considered the issues raised and in particular the need for areas to allow dogs off lead.

To help inform the implementation of further dog control orders a pilot project was proposed to trial this approach in the North of the city.

            2.      Key Issues

The proposed pilot will allow the group to ascertain the benefits of providing such a facility and provide evidence to inform a decision on future provision. It is proposed that the pilot will be in operation from June 2013 and will be monitored for a period of six months.

An area within Grove Park has been identified as the location for the facility due to the number of dog issues on site, the availability of land to meet the requirements and its potential catchment area within North Belfast. The enclosed area will measure 80metres x 30 metres and will be secured using 1.5m ranch style fencing with chain link attached.

It will provide a social hub for dog walkers (a sizeable percentage of users) to exercise their dogs in a controlled environment. It will be a sustainable facility, easily maintained and attract new users to the site and help with the overall issues of controlling dogs in parks. Signage will be erected at the facility advising users on the following rules.

§  No children under sixteen

§  Only two dogs per person allowed in.

§  People must be supervising their dog at all times.

§  No food permitted.

            3.      Resource Implications

§  Use of 250m2 of parkland.

§   The cost of installing the facility will be met from existing budgets.

            4.      Recommendations

Committee is asked to approve the installation of the pilot dog off lead enclosure at Grove Park.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendation.