Councillors seek action on dog fouling problem

A Ballina councillor has said that dog fouling seems to become a bigger problem in the summer months and asked management of the local municipal district whether a spray could be put on footpaths to deter dog fouling from taking place. 

Cllr Marie Therese Duffy raised the matter at the June meeting of the municipal district. 

In response, head of the district Anna Connor said the issue is managed through creating awareness and enforcement. 

“Dog fouling is an offence under the Litter Act. There is a recruitment process at the moment for an awareness officer.” 

Ms Connor added that dog owners can be hit with an on-the-spot fine for €150, but the difficulty is that wardens must catch dog fouling offences as they occur. 

Cllr Annie May Reape said she did not think there was ever a case of anyone being fined under the legislation, with Cllr Jarlath Munnelly agreeing that this is because they have to be caught “in the act”.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.