A Winnipeg resident says he's upset with people treating his North End backyard like a landfill by dumping large, bulky items there.

Joe Hardbread says he regularly wakes up to see large waste items, from discarded mattresses and sofas to unwanted propane tanks and tires, littering his property.

The 73-year-old pensioner told CBC News he's fed up with people leaving their garbage — big and small — in and around his yard.

"People are coming, they're throwing their stuff over the fence," Hardbread said Thursday. "You know, they don't care."

Hardbread said his own garbage has not been picked up in almost three weeks.

People have even tossed large pieces of glass into the yard, very close to where his grandson plays, he added.

"I'm afraid that he will fall or cut himself, you know. That's real dangerous," he said.

'We need to catch those people'

Bulk dumping has always been a problem in the neighbourhood, says Mynarski Coun. Ross Eadie, who is demanding stiffer fines for offenders.

Eadie has presented a motion to the city's public works committee, calling for fines to be increased from $300 to $1,000 for individuals, and from $600 to $2,000 for businesses.

"They're dumping in his yard because he's at the end, and that's the attitude of those people," Eadie said.

"We need to catch those people and fine them."

In the meantime, Hardbread said he is going to hire someone to clean up the mess in his yard, then send the bill to Mayor Sam Katz.