70% increment in excrement collections recorded during COVID-19 as Derry council continues dog fouling drive

The hike has been put down to the numbers who have taken to the walkways of the city during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Back in 2019 council officers collected a prodigious 50 tonnes of dog foul - equivalent in weight to ten adult African elephants. But it has emerged there was a 70 per cent increase in 2020 with 85 tonnes lifted by the local authority. At present this waste is disposed of in landfill because most of it is in non-biodegradable plastic bags

Seamus Donaghy, DC&SDC Head of Health and Community Wellbeing, reported the increase to the February meeting of the council’s Health and Community Committee.

“The COVID pandemic and associated lockdowns has resulted in an increase in dogs being walked in popular paths and public walkways.

“Dog foul bins are strategically located across the council area and the Environment section has reported that over 85 tonnes of dog waste was collected in 2020 which is a significant increase from 50 tonnes collected in 2019.

“This demonstrates that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible and adhere to their statutory responsibility to remove and dispose of dog foul appropriately. Unfortunately, the minority of irresponsible dog owners have a significant negative impact on everyone else’s enjoyment of the outdoor environment,” he stated.

The council recently conducted a concerted anti-dog foul message. It has also ordered an additional 40,000 dog fouling bags at a cost of £2,000.