COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, June 18, 2012

QUESTION NO.

QUESTION: Councillor C. King

"To ask the Manager to arrange for 'No Dog Fouling' signs to be erected in the vicinity of St Dominic's Community Centre at Avonbeg Gardens?"

REPLY:

The Council no longer erect signs regarding dog fouling in estates as they were considered to be an ineffective deterrent.

In our ongoing efforts to address this problem the Council in 2011 piloted an initiative of anti dog fouling stencils throughout the regional parks.  These stencils are currently being replaced with a more weather resistant stencil.

The priority will be to stencil local parks and open spaces which are used more frequently for dog walking.  It is not intended that stencilling will be carried out within housing estates.

Dog fouling is an offence under section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended, for which the person in charge of the dog faces a fine or prosecution if he/she does not immediately remove any faeces deposited by a dog in certain places and ensure that it is properly disposed of in a suitable sanitary manner.  The Council experience difficulty in enforcing this section of the act as it requires witnesses that are willing to come forward and go to court if necessary, to give evidence.  It can also be difficult for the Dog/Litter Warden to "identify" the offender as they are reluctant to give their name and address.  Residents groups and/or individuals are urged to assis the Litter Wardens and Dog Wardens in this regard.