COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 14, 2019

QUESTION NO. 5

QUESTION: Councillor Yvonne Collins

To ask the Chief Executive to examine the feasibility of installing dog waste pick up bins, with a glove or bag station above them, specifically for picking up after pets to tackle the problem, firstly, of dog waste not being picked up and secondly, the problem of dog waste being picked up, bagged but then thrown into the surrounding trees/bushes.

REPLY:

A feasibility study of the kind suggested here was carried out by this Council in 2016 and 2017.  The Council provided dog poo bags in both Rathfarnham Castle Park and Rathcoole Park on a trial basis for a 3 to 6 month period at that time, litter bins were already in place in those parks for disposal of the dog litter.  The uptake of the bags and the impact on dog littering was assessed at both locations and the outcome was that the provison of the bags had little impact on the level of dog littering in those parks.  For this reason the scheme was not rolled out at that time. 

South Dublin County Council services approximately 700 litter bins in on street locations as well as over 130 litter bins in park locations.  All these litter bins accept dog waste however it should be properly bagged to ensure that it does not cause an environmental nuisance. 

The Green Dog Walker (GDW) initiative is promoted by South Dublin County Council on an ongoing basis through, but not limited to, social media campaigns and promotional material at popup stands in Council's public buildings. As the Green Dog Walker initiative is a community led initiative a GDW pop up stand has also been made available to community groups for use at community events, which several groups have already availed of. Community groups in this area are also welcome to avail of the GDW, pop-up stand and other promotional materials.

Dog Litter Signage (3 different designs) is available and requests for signage are considered. Throughout the year dog litter signs are erected within the county by Council personnel and similarly, signage is provided directly to Councillors / Registered / Residents Groups for distribution and erection 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.