COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, December 05, 2011

QUESTION NO. 9

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

"To ask the Manager to report on the provision of any facilities for the disposal of dog waste in the area under the remit of this Committee and to make a statement on the matter?"

REPLY:

Under the Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, a dog owner is responsible for the cleaning up of any dog litter which is deposited by the dog in any street, road, path, park in the South Dublin County Council area.  Allowing dogs to foul in public places is not acceptable.

The Council has recently applied stencils to the footpaths of a number of parks, including Tymon Park and Sean Walsh Park, reminding dog owners of their responsibilities.

The Council is currently applying dog enforcement stencils to foopaths in the vicinity of Parks to inform owners that dog faeces is litter and that owners will be fined.

The Council does not provide separate bins for the disposal of dog waste, the owner/person in charge of the dog is required to remove the dog faeces and dispose of them in a suitable sanitary manner.

Owners can Poop Scoop every time their dog makes a mess:

  1. Keep a packet of bags next to the dogs lead as a reminder to take them with them. Any plastic bag can be used.
  2. The owner simply places the bag over the faeces and lifts it whilst pulling the bag downwards with their other hand.
  3. They then tie a knot in the bag to contain the waste matter 
  4. The filled bag can then be carried away for safe disposal via the refuse bin.

Failure to remove the matter is an offence and the owner is subject to an on the spot fine of €150. Failure to pay this can result in prosecution with a maximum fine of €3000. 

Dog faeces can be a source of disease and may cause Salmonella or Toxocara which can be passed to humans through contact with infected faeces. Children are at risk when they handle dogs or handle toys, footballs, soles of shoes or buggy wheels which have been contaminated with dog faeces. Owners should remember to worm their dog routinely; wash hands after handling their dog and ensure children wash their hands thoroughly following play outside.