Dog fouling getting out of control

DOG fouling is causing a major problem in towns across the county with walkers greeted with faeces at a host of public walkways in scenic locations in Kerry. Dog mess was high on the agenda for local councillors in Killorglin and Killarney last week as they called for the local authority to provide more bins and dog bags to alleviate an described as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘serious’.

At last week’s meeting of South and West Municipal District a number of local councillors voiced their concerns. The issue was raised at the Killarney Municipal meeting as well.

Cllr Damian Quigg said that the situation in Killorglin is “unacceptable” and must be addressed. Cllr Dan McCarthy called for a crack-down on dog fouling across the county.

He said that more dog litter bins are needed in all public walkways, villages and town.

At last week’s Killarney Municipal meeting the issue of dog fouling was also raised.

Cllr Donal Grady called for a full-time litter warden to be put in place in Killarney to tackle dog fouling. “Dog fouling is increasing and is a serious issue” he said.

It is an offence under the Litter Pollution Act not to clean up after your dog and it can result in an on-the-spot fine of €150 or up to €4,000 on a summary conviction. Patrols are carried out by litter wardens on the nine dog walking routes across the county and dog bags are located on these routes. They are not provided on all walking routes.

The Council said that dog fouling bins are provided in Killorglin town centre but that erecting dog bins on the outskirts of the town is not feasible as they cannot be maintained.

The Authority said it does not have the manpower to maintain bins on paths outside town centres or in more rural towns and villages but they will continue to monitor dog fouling in problem areas and on beaches.