COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

QUESTION NO. 21

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

"To ask the Manager if signs warning/reminding dog owners that it is an offence subject to a fine not to clean up when their dogs foul the footpaths/public area can be displayed prominently in Palmerston Village?"

REPLY:

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. 
Dog fouling is an offence under section 22 the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as ammended, for which the person in charge of the dog faces a fine or prosecution if he/she does not immediately remove any faeces desposited by a dog in certain places and ensure that this 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 thay are reluctant to give their name and address.  Residents groups and/or individuals are urged to assist the Litter Wardens and dog Wardens in this regard.