DUBLIN City Council has insisted that it was not forced to move anti-dog fouling signage because its message was only displayed in English and not Irish.
Clontarf ward councillor Damian O’Farrell (Ind), who made the claims, said dog fouling continues to be a major issue in streets and parks.
“I’m very annoyed that in this time of scarce resources perfectly good ‘anti-dog fouling’ signage, already paid for, will not be used, and signage already erected by Dublin City Council has had to be taken down and is not likely to be replaced in the short-term,
? stated Cllr O’Farrell.
“I support our national language and the use of bilingual public signage but I can’t support this waste of public money at a time when resources are non-existent and a common sense approach should have been taken.
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A spokesman for Dublin City Council said it endeavours to comply with all signage aspects of the Official Languages Act.
“The Commissioner Teanga did not order Dublin City Council to remove signage,
? he told Northside People.
“Dublin City Council will continue to provide dog litter signage.
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Coincidentally, Dublin City Council has just launched a new awareness campaign in relation to dog litter. It also commissioned a Millward Brown survey which showed that:
l 76 per cent of people say littering has become more socially unacceptable.
l 89 per cent responded that dog owners are responsible for cleaning up their dog’s waste, and
l 30 per cent felt greater public awareness would be more effective than more wardens (10 per cent) and new laws (2 per cent).
The city council said it has also distributed approximately 400,000 free pooper-scooper bags in recent years as part of its ongoing efforts to tackle the problem.
“Up to four in 10 dog owners told us they don’t always clean up after their dog and this can only really change when these people accept their responsibilities for their dog,
? added the spokesman.
Meanwhile, Clontarf resident Anne Dandy said she feels very strongly about the issue of dog fouling.
“I definitely believes it’s a serious problem, especially around Clontarf Park,
? Ms Dandy told Northside People.
“I’ve noticed that the dogs seem to be brought out at night. I’ve had to clean up after them and it’s dreadful. If you have dog, you should clean up after it.
“I also believe it poses a health risk. There are a lot of young children living in the area; it’s not fair on them, having to go home with dirt under their shoes all because people wouldn’t clean up after their dogs.
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Ms Dandy said there was no reason why signs should not be put up to warn people to clean up after their dogs.
“This is a lovely area and it’s a shame what is happening,
? she added.
Separately, Cllr O’Farrell, a dog owner himself, believes that the Government should take a more proactive role on dog litter.
“At present our laws are inadequate,
? he argued.
“For instance, a person who lets a dog out in the morning unsupervised cannot be prosecuted as the owner is not deemed to be ‘in control of’ their dog – it’s farcical.
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