COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
MOTION NO. 6
MOTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin
"That this Area Committee discusses the South Dublin County Council approach to tackling dog foul in public parks and on footpaths and if new strategies are possible.
REPORT:
Surveys were carried out in 4 Parks around the county to accurately ascertain the level of dog fouling in those parks. The report indicates that dog fouling levels are relatively low in the context of the numbers visiting the parks surveyed. However, measures to deter dog fouling such as increased signage and audio devices, at specific problematic areas have been installed.
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".
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. The Council continues to encourage residents groups and/or individuals to assist the Warden Service in this regard.
SDCC have continued to raise awareness of the issue of Dog fouling and has mounted a number of campaigns on radio, newspapers and on social media in that regard.
The Green Dog Walkers Programme is a non-confrontational, friendly way to change people's attitudes about dog fouling. It is a community based scheme where volunteers in the community can adopt and promote in their own area. Members of the public can apply through Social Credits at www.socialcredits.ie
Volunteers who become Green Dog Walkers are provided with an armband and bone shaped bag dispenser and commit to the following -
- wear the armband or put the Green Dog Walker collar on their dog when out walking
- clean up after their dog
- carry extra dog waste bags
- be happy to be approached to lend a dog waste bag to those without
- be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their dogs
A review of litter bins was carried out and previously reported to the Area Committee Meetings.
This review concluded that the provision of dog litter specific bins would require a major change to the existing collection operation, as well as an increased budgetary provision.
It is not Council policy to provide separate bins for separate types of waste and no change is proposed in that regard.
Every bin provided by the Council, of which there are in excess of 650, whether on street or in a public park is available for the disposal of light litter including dog waste and is considered the best approach.