Innovation in tackling the scourge of irresponsible dog owners
The Mitchelstown Business Association have joined forces with some industrious pupils from Coláiste Fionnchua in the town to build ‘dog fouling boxes’.
These boxes will carry waste bags for dog-walkers to use if they are out-and-about and have forgotten to bring a bag for their dog’s waste. Walkers are invited to take a bag to tidy up after Rex, Fido or Fluffles, and then to dispose of it responsibly in the nearest bin.
Rang Barra from Coláiste Fionnchua created the wooden boxes, with a little help from some 5th Year boys. They were later painted by the 3rd Year Art class. The eight boxes will be located in key locations around Mitchelstown, and will have ‘guardians’ monitoring and refilling the boxes when necessary.
FOCUS GROUP?
The aim is to raise awareness of the scourge, but Mitchelstown is of course not the only area to be afflicted.
The matter was raised at a full meeting of Cork County Council last week, and such is the prevalence of the issue across the county that the Mayor forbade any public discussion on it, telling the elected members that there was no need, as it is is such a blight. Mayor of the County of Cork, Gillian Coughlan wondered if a focus group could not be assembled to think of innovative ways to tackle the issue county-wide.
“Are there new ways of handling the issue? I would like to see some innovation. Are there methods that have been successful that could be replicated in Cork?”
The chief executive agreed, saying that any action plan would need national support.