Belfast City Council has opened a new dog play area in Ormeau Park near the Indoor Tennis Centre and Ozone Complex. The facility includes play equipment, a water supply and seating for owners. It has two separate enclosed sections for small dogs and for medium to large dogs. Some equipment comes from upcycled playground apparatus.

The park opening coincides with the council's Take the Lead campaign to address dog fouling. Funds came from the Concert Social Levy scheme, which redirects income from major park events to community projects. Councillor Fred Cobain, chair of the People and Communities Committee, noted that most dog owners act responsibly but a minority do not clean up after pets.

The council has boosted dog warden patrols in areas identified by residents as hotspots. Street cleansing vehicles in North Belfast display messages about dog fouling awareness. Operatives across the city wear badges offering dog waste bags to walkers.

Dog fouling carries an 80-pound fixed penalty notice, reducible to 50 pounds if paid within 10 days. Court cases can result in fines up to 1,000 pounds. Waste goes in public litter bins or household black bins.

Residents can report incidents online to guide enforcement and cleaning efforts. A survey on dog fouling impacts and solutions remains open until March 2.