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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 13, 2020

QUESTION NO.13

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive if he has plans in the New Year to deal with the concerns of many in our communities with regard to the ongoing problem of Dog Fouling; will he appreciate the clear need for effective action in the matter and will he make a statement.

REPLY:

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".

As previously outlined, the difficulty with enforcement of Section 22 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. Similarly, it is not possible for personnel to be at specific locations as fouling incident arises.

Dog litter, if properly bagged can be disposed of in a standard litter bin. The Council provides standard type litter bins in its 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.

Dog Litter Signage (3 different designs x 100 of each) is 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.

The Green Dog Walker (GDW) initiative is promoted 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.

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.