Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council launched a pilot project with Rosie's Trust on Friday 24 April. The initiative provides dog waste bags through five dispensers installed in council-run parks.

Dozens of dogs and owners gathered at People's Park in Portadown for the event. Lord Mayor Alderman Stephen Moutray attended to officially start the scheme.

The project aims to cut dog fouling in parks and public areas. Dispensers are now available at the sites.

Rosie's Trust operates as the sole Northern Ireland charity assisting cancer patients, those in end-of-life care, and elderly people with mobility problems to retain their pets. Volunteers visit beneficiaries to offer support, combat isolation, and handle pet care tasks.

The charity logs more than 10,000 hours of volunteer dog walking annually.