Sinn Féin councillor Claire Canavan pointed out that the problem is being caused by a "small minority who aren't picking up after their dogs".

"People need to catch themselves on," she said.

She praised the council cleansing staff who pick up the mess that dog owners leave behind.

The four largest parties on the council all raised the dog fouling issue at Tuesday evening's meeting of the full 60-member council.

The People and Communities Committee at City Hall plans to discuss the matter again later this month.

Sharon Vennard, 41, lives in south Belfast with her husband and two young sons.

She is becoming increasingly frustrated with the dog fouling on the family's daily walk to school which she says is a "huge issue" in the area.

"Recently my two-year-old came out of a shop in our local area and tripped and fell right into dog poo.

"I was very concerned he would get it in his eye and it was very upsetting for him.

"I walk my older child to school and there have been occasions he has walked through dog poo – and has had to wear his PE shoes and his classroom assistant has had to hose his shoes down which is very embarrassing for a child."

Ms Vennard said she had complained to the council twice and was told there would be more wardens in the area.

"But my problem is that if someone sees a warden they will lift their dog poo as they are afraid of getting caught," she said.

"It's more trying to catch people out who are repeat offenders who are taking their dog for a walk in cover of darkness and are not responsible dog owners or turning their back and pretending not to notice.

"It gets to the stage when it's about the health and safety of children and it's very serious."