The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Dog fouling is ‘getting out of hand’
ONE NEW RESIDENT OF BALLYBUNION THREATENS TO SELL UP OVER ISSUE
THE perennial problem of dog fouling is reaching unprecedented levels in the resort town of Ballybunion in an issue that could ultimately threaten the town’s vital tourist industry, one local politician is warning.
Sinn Féin County Cllr Robert Beasley branded dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets ‘ignorant and stupid’ this week as he hit back on the behalf of a town that has had it up to its neck with the noxious faeces.
The Kerryman has learned the problem has become so bad that one new resident has already threatened to sell her dream coastal home and urge Fáilte Ireland to remove the town from the Wild Atlantic Way.
“It’s a problem that has increased significantly in recent years and even those who collect the dog foul into special bags often simply throw the bags down the cliffs or onto the side of the road. In fact we had one case recently where three of the bags, full of dog foul, were left in a disused water fountain down in the East End. You have to wonder what kind of message that person was trying to send.”
It’s become a major headache for the volunteers of the Tidy Towns who are out in all weather striving to keep their beloved resort clean.
Most worrying, Cllr Beasley said, is the threat posed by noxious bacteria in faeces to children at play. “It’s a massive health hazard, particularly to children while they’re playing out of doors.
“There’s only one way to stamp this out and that’s catching and penalising those who flout the law. Unfortunately we’ve only one litter warden in North Kerry so I’m calling on the authority to ensure Ballybunion will be given the extra resources it vitally needs as the season gets underway to ensure people can no longer get away with what they’re doing.”
The Sinn Féin cllr is also calling on the Council to undertake a campaign in schools to raise awareness of the issue.