COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 22, 2014

QUESTION NO. 36

QUESTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

Further to the dog litter campaign could the CE confirm if there are plans to increase the number of dog litter bins in the county particularly in and around public parks?

REPLY:


The Council currently has approximately 650 litter bins located across the county. The majority, around 600, are provided on street while approximately 65 bins are located within the major parks at strategic locations such as entrances, playgrounds and beside the off leash areas for dogs.

All litter bins are available for, and can be used to dispose of dog waste. It is Council policy not to provide separate bins for dog waste as the standard bins can be used for this purpose. 

South Dublin County Council participates in the Green Dog Walkers Scheme which is a regional programme involving South Dublin County Council, Dun Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council, Meath County Council and Wicklow County Council. This scheme is a positive and pro-active way which encourages and supports responsible dog ownership, and aims to increase awareness of the problem of dog fouling which is among the most common and anti-social forms of littering.

Green Dog Walkers is a community based voluntary scheme which can be adopted in any area, and is a non-confrontational, friendly way to change attitudes about dog fouling in South Dublin County.  Members of the scheme receive a complimentary green dog-walkers armband and a 'doggie bone' poop-bag dispenser with a roll of bags. By signing up participants  'Take the Pledge' to always clean up after their dog, to carry extra doggie bags and to gladly give others a bag for their dog if they ask for one. 

Most recently the four Dublin Local Authorities joined forces over the summer to urge dog owners to leave only their paw prints behind after taking their dog for walks. A new poster scheme has been rolled out and anti - dog fouling signs have been being erected at various locations around the county to remind dog owners of their responsibilities. It is expected that five hundred of these signs will be in place throughout the county by 2015.