COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, January 13, 2014
MOTION NO.6
MOTION: Councillor M. Devine
That this Council, as part of the Green Dog Walkers initiative and to compliment the roll out of the 2014 regional strategy, erect anti -dog fouling signs in requested areas.
REPORT:
The Green Dog Walkers programme was launched on the 30th April in Sean Walsh Park Tallaght. Green Dog Walkers (GDW) is a regional programme involving South Dublin County Council, Dun Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council, Meath County Council and Wicklow County Council. The Green Dog Walkers programme is a non-confrontational, friendly way to change people's attitudes about dog fouling. It is a community based scheme where volunteers in the community can adopt and promote in their own area. Members of the public can apply through Social Credits at www.socialcredits.ie
Volunteers who become Green Dog Walkers are provided with an armband and bone shaped dog dispenser and commit to the following:
- clean up after their dog
- wear the armband or put the Green Dog Walkers collar on their dog when walking
- carry extra dog waste bags
- be happy to be approached to 'lend' a dog waste bag to those without
- be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their dogs
In 2013 over 300 people signed up to become Green Dog walkers in South Dublin County.
In 2014 this programme will be further promoted through the South Dublin Tidy Towns Together and by arranging an information stand in shopping centres throughout the County. Members of the public will also be encouraged to hold Green Dog Walkers events in their local area.
In December 2013, the Dublin Regional Authority and the 4 Dublin Local Authorities launched a regional campaign to combat dog fouling which received considerable media attention. This campaign will continue in 2014 with additional promotional activity with a standardisation of approach to the most effective signage programme being considered.
In recent times, the cost and effectiveness of erection and widespread distribution of these kinds of signs has lead to our ceasing to erect same however posters are issued to residents associations where requested. The outcome of considerations of the signage issue under the regional campaign will be implemented.