COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
MOTION NO. 19
MOTION: Councillor V. Casserly
"To call on the Chief Executive to enhance public awareness surrounding the enforcement of the law on Dog Fouling in Lucan, Palmerstown?"
REPORT:
"Dog fouling is an offence under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended (the Act).
The Act provides that the person in charge of a dog is subject to a fine or prosecution if he/she does not immediately remove any faeces deposited by their dog in certain places, and/or if that person fails to ensure that the dog litter is properly disposed of in a suitable sanitary manner.
The difficulty with enforcement of this particular section of the Act is the requirement for witness testimony, to report that the offence happened and that an identified person is the person in charge of the dog. The Council continues to encourage residents groups and/or individuals to assist the Warden Service in this regard.
It is envisaged that the requirement to comply with new laws which make it compulsory to have all dogs microchipped and registered with a Government-approved database from 1st April 2016 will ease the previous difficulties experienced in tracing dogs back to registered owners as dog owners must also keep their contact details up to date and register any change of contact details or change of ownership.
It is an objective in the Litter Management Plan (LMP)2015 - 2019 to examine emerging technologies to deter incidences of dog littering and dog fouling and to promote targeted anti-litter and litter prevention campaigns, including dog litter. Programmable audio messaging devices were piloted in late 2015 at three (3) locations across the County to deter dog litter which proved to be very successful. Accordingly, a rolling programme has been agreed for 2016 where these devices will be deployed at a number of locations which are considered suitable, in order to optimise the use of this technology and maximise its effectiveness.
Signage has been installed at suitable locations across the County carrying a suite of messages including the risk to health posed by dog litter.
Pilot initiatives being put in place include:
- Provision of biodegradable bags with renewal/new dog licences
- Provision of dog litter bag dispenser at entrance to parks
- Provision of bins for disposal of dog litter within a radius of entrance to park, where dog fouling mostly occurs.
Coupled with the above further objectives of the LMP include:
- promotion of the use of existing "off lease" dog runs and the potential to develop others.
- initiate dog litter advertising and anti-dog litter campaigns
- promote the Green Dog Walker Initiative (responsible dog ownership), also in conjunction with renewal and purchase of dog licences."