COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor T. Gilligan

To ask the Manager to erect "No Dog Fouling Signs" in Castle Close including the amount of the fine? How much is the fine in the area if an owner is caught not cleaning up after their dog?  How many dog fouling fines have been given out in 2009,10,11,12 and what was the amount in total?

REPLY:

Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 provides for the issue of a fixed penalty notice to anyone witnessed not cleaning up after their dog.  The amount of this fine is €150.00.  Understandably, there is no way of enforcing this fine without a report from an eye-witness who is prepared to go to court.  Fines issued in the past were as follows:- 2009 - 1, 2010 - 2, 2011 - 2, 2012 - 4, 2013 to date - 1. None of these were specifically for the Castle Close area.  In 2011 a programme of anti-dog fouling stenciling was applied to all Regional Parks and this will be extended in 2013 to neighbourhood and local parks once the weather has improved.  The Council is engaged in a number of awareness campaigns aimed at the prevention and proper disposal of litter and dog-fouling in particular.  The 'Responsible Dog Ownership Programme'  has been established to address the issue of dog fouling which includes pop-up stands, poop scoops and leaflets which are available on loan to schools, community centres and business to raise awareness of the importance of responsible dog ownership.  The Enforcement & Licensing division is also sending out leaflets on responsible dog ownership with the dog license issued through its on-line service.