Dog fouling issues in Conna referred to council’s Veterinary Department

Dog fouling bins have been sought for Conna, after the issue of dog fouling on new footpaths in the village was highlighted by the national school parents’ association.

Raising the issue at a recent meeting of the Fermoy Municipal District, Councillor Noel McCarthy said that new footpaths there have been ‘destroyed’ due to dog owners not picking up after their pets.

“It’s a huge concern. It’s getting worse and worse. We’re providing lovely new footpaths for people to walk safely but they’re being destroyed by dog fouling. We can’t give them the excuse that they have no place to put the bag,” Cllr McCarthy said.

The local dog warden also recently visited the area, checking dog licenses and distributing leaflets in the locality.

Also noted by the Fermoy councillor was the recent difficulty in getting dog fouling bins installed, as well as the difficulty dog wardens have in relation to issuing fines for the offence.

“To fine anyone, you have to catch the dog in the act and the owner with them, but that’s not easy because the warden works certain hours,” Cllr McCarthy added.

PROPER DISPOSAL

The motion, tabled at last week’s Fermoy MD meeting, was widely supported by other local councillors as Cllr Deirdre O’Brien noted that the issue extends to Mitchelstown and beyond.

Municipal District Officer, Pauline Moriarty responded to the motion stating that the issue is one for the Veterinary Department.

“I recently received a query on this from the local national school and have since referred them to the appropriate Council department, the Veterinary Department,” Ms Moriarty said.

She also noted that dog fouling bins may not be as readily rolled out as current policy notes that once bagged, dog foul can be disposed of in any bin.

“We need the input of the Veterinary Department but it is personal responsibility, if you own a dog, you pick up after it and you take it home or put it in the nearest bin,” Ms Moriarty added.