West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Fein successfully lobby for anti dog dirt machine for west Belfast

Published: 15 October, 2008

Andersonstown Sinn Fein councillor Chrissie Mhic Giolla Mhin has welcomed the news that Belfast City Council will permanently deploy an anti dog dirt machine in west Belfast after lobbying by Sinn Fein.

Known as the Ride On Vehicle Excrement Remover (ROVER) the quad bike machine has a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner attached to the rear of the vehicle that does the dirty work.

Ms Mhic Giolla Mhin said:

'The machine has been in west Belfast on a trial basis since June after I lobbied council officials in the street cleansing department on the need to locate one of the ROVERs in the area.

'Constituents in the Fruithill, Stockmans, middle Andersonstown areas and other areas have contacted me personally about this issue.

'Dog fouling is a very serious issue, especially in areas where children play. Whilst there is a problem throughout the city with dog fouling, I am happy to see the council making a positive move in west Belfast."

'These machines have been introduced in other European cities and have proved to be a major success.

'A delegation of Sinn Fein councillors met with the street cleansing department again last week to discuss a number of issues and it was confirmed at that meeting that a ROVER would be permanently based in the west.

'Whilst these machines will help alleviate the widespread problem of dog fouling, I would appeal to dog owners to be more responsible by carrying a plastic bag when walking their dogs,' said councillor Mhic Giolla Mhín.