COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, January 13, 2020
MOTION NO. 16
MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons
That this council asks the Chief Executive to consider rolling out bio-degradable poop bags for dog poo throughout the county to stop the practice of dog walkers dumping plastic bags in bushes and trees and also as part of this to ask for an estimated cost for such action for SDCC and to ask that this is brought to the Environment SPC for discussion and consideration
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".
Dog foul waste if properly bagged can be disposed of in a standard litter bin. The Council provides standard type litter bins in it's main parks and at the dog runs which have been provided in those parks. In total there are approximately 130 litter bins provided at parks locations in the County, this number has increased in recent years and will continue to increase as the need arises. There are a further 650 litter bins provided on streets and in villages and urban centres. Currently, dog litter stickers are being piloted on existing litter bins demonstrating that these receptacles are suitable for such litter. The Council previously provided dog poo bags in Rathfarnham Castle Park and Rathcoole Park on a trial basis. The uptake of the bags and the impact on dog littering was assessed at both locations and the outcome was that the provision of the bags had little impact on the level of dog littering in those parks.
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) is available and requests for signage are considered on a case by case basis. 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.
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.
Through the Environment, Public Realm & Climate Change SPC, the current LMP has just been reviewed and a Draft Litter Management Plan for the period 2020-2024 has been published for public consultation with the final date for receipt of submissions or observations being Tuesday 7th January 2020.
If the motion is passed, the matter will be brought to the Environment, Public Realm & Climate Change SPC.