COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

QUESTION NO. 12

QUESTION: Councillor W. Carey

To ask the Chief Executive to install dog fouling signs at the pedestrian footpath leading from Monastery Road onto Monastery Gate Villas.

REPLY:

Under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, where faeces has been deposited by a dog in any place to which the section applies, the person in charge of the dog shall immediately remove the faeces and shall ensure that it is properly disposed of in a suitable sanitary manner. 

Failure to pick up after your dog is an offence under the Litter Management Acts 1997 -2009 and could result in an on-the-spot fine of €150. The maximum court fine is €3000.

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. In the absence of such testimony, fines cannot be issued. 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 current campaign features the adorable “Scally” the dog in a series of videos which highlight the consequences of not picking up the dog poop, whether under the cover of darkness, in a field or on the footpath.

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.

Dog Litter Signage is available and requests for signage are considered on a case by case basis, the location of the request will be examined for suitability and if deemed suitable signs can be erected.