COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

That this Area Committee requests that a campaign to remind dog owners of their obligation to clean up after their dog(s) and that signs be erected in housing estates so warning dog owners/walkers of the penalties for “Dog Fowling” and that pooper scoopers can be deposited in ANY public waste bin and not disposed of in bushes or grass margins.

 REPORT:

Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended, (the Act), states 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".

In 2017, just one fine was issued for dog fouling and 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. No fines were issued in 2018 and the Council continues to encourage residents groups and/or individuals to assist the Warden Service in this regard.

In efforts to combat the problem of dog fouling, and as part of the Litter Management Plan, the Council has embarked on a high level anti - Dog Foul campaign as follows:

Dog Litter Signage (3 different designs x 100 of each) are available and requests for signage are considered on a case by case basis and signs are only erected on demonstrated need.     The location of the request is examined for suitability and if deemed suitable signs can be erected. If there is/are registered group(s) in existence in an area, signage may be provided directly to the group through the Social Credit Scheme with the caveat that such signage erected must have due regard for public health and safety, and must not impede visibility or restrict traffic, cycling and pedestrian flow. Also, if it is proposed to co-use a pole, authorisation will be required.   Alternatively requests are added to the current signage waiting list, pending determination of suitability, and availability of resources for signage erection.

 Similarly, a very forceful media campaign continues through cinemas and radio adverts.    The development of dog fouling advert was an element of the 2017 LMP Action Plan and part of the wider anti-litter awareness campaign that included anti-litter and illegal dumping adverts.

Currently, dog litter stickers (image attached) are being piloted on existing litter bins demonstrating that these receptacles are suitable for such litter. 

Green Dog Walker (GDW) promotion material at popup stands are available in Council's public buildings.  As GDW is a community led initiative GDW pop up stand is also maDE available to community groups for use at community events.

The Council continues to develop and improve existing strategies and action plans for the management of the county's litter problem, which includes dog foul and this will continue into 2019.