Just nine fines for dog fouling

LOUTH councillors heard that just nine fines have been handed out for dog fouling offences in the county area since new bye laws were enacted.

Cllr. Maeve Yore asked the local authorities to detail how many on the spot fines had been issued to dog owners who allow their dogs to litter in towns including Dundalk, Drogheda and Ardee.

The response was made available to councillors at their monthly meeting last week, where it emerged that since the enactment of the dog litter and dog control bye laws 2015, ‘nine fines have been issued in relation to dog fouling under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act.’

However a spokesman added: ‘It should be noted that the bye laws address the specific issues of carrying an appropriate receptacle for dog waste, ensuring it is disposed properly in litter bins, and that dogs being exercised in a public place are kept on a leash.’

Councillors were told that the dog wardens have been focusing on making dog owners aware of the bye laws since their enactment in March 2016.

The council are now in the process of preparing the necessary documents to issue fines under the bye laws.

Regulations under the new bye laws include that anyone walking a dog in a public place can be stopped and asked to produce evidence that they have a means with them of lifting and disposing of the any dog waste.