Three councils in Northern Ireland are using private contractors to crack down on litter and sloppy dogs.Year-round pilots will target those who "break the rules" and officers can issue a £80 fine
for littering or SLOTXO not picking up dog waste.Garbage enforcement officials have issued 54 fines on the first day of work on the Causeway Coast and Glens Council.
Such fines are made in response to "Irresponsible disposal of tobacco products and fast food packaging"The pilot will operate in the Mid and East Antrim, Causeway Coast and Glens areas, as well as the Armagh,
Banbridge and Craigavon council areas.Failure to pay may result in "Much higher litigation and fines imposed by the court, as well as a potential criminal record," said a spokesman for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
"The increased enforcement is a timely reminder to the public that they must properly dispose of their waste or be left to count the cost.