DOG fouling on the streets of Dublin is to be tackled with renewed vigour following the launch of a new initiative last week.
At the launch, Dublin’s four mayors – Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr OisÃn Quinn, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Carrie Smyth, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Kieran Dennison and Mayor of South Dublin, Cllr Dermot Looney – urged Dubliners to clean up after their dogs and report offenders to a new hotline number 1800 251 500.
Dublin’s four local authorities, supported by Dublin Regional Authority, have joined together for the new campaign to sort out the problem of dog fouling in streets and parks across the city and county.
Currently there are in excess of 30,000 dogs living in Dublin, with 30,745 dog licences issued by the four Dublin local authorities in 2012 and 28,122 issued to date in 2013. Over 400 reports of dog fouling were received in 2012.
Cathaoirleach of the Dublin Regional Authority, Cllr Lettie McCarthy, also attended the launch along with the campaign’s ambassador, actress and writer Tara Flynn.
The initiative, funded by the Dublin Regional Authority, will include a series of marketing and promotional initiatives to raise awareness of the environmental and health issues around dog fouling, as well as events for dog owners taking place in parks around the city and county.
Campaign spokesperson, Therese Langan, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, said dog fouling remains a very serious issue and one of the top gripes for Dubliners.
“Dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs are creating a serious environmental and public health issue for everyone else,
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“If not cleaned up and disposed of appropriately, dog faeces can cause serious medical problems such as Toxocara, leading to sight loss in children.
“It is also the leading environmental gripe that Dubliners have.
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Ms Langan added:
“When dog owners are walking their dog in the city, in the suburbs or in one of the city’s many parks, there really is no excuse – always scoop the poop.
“Whether it’s with a plastic bag or a pooper scooper, safely disposing of dog litter is not only showing respect for your neighbours, it’s the law.
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