Tackling the scourge of dog dirt on our streets.

Residents across the North Inner City continue to raise with me the scourge that is dog dirt littering our streets.

This is a serious challenge that needs a response appropriate to the scale of the problem we face. The various awareness campaigns managed by the City Council over the years, including in 2021 which included an advertising campaign sharing the message of ‘Bag it and Bin it’ have not proved to be as effective as everyone would have hoped.

While the Council is experiencing challenges in the enforcement of legislation regarding dog fouling, the Waste Management Services alongside Local Area Offices are now planning to work with the Gardaí to enforce the law. I understand, from information shared with me in recent days, that the City Council is also planning to include the services of the Dog Wardens who have recently been appointed.

Separately, the Council has also been involved in a competition that has been organised for schools to design a poster that will encourage dog owners and dog walkers to use litter bins to dispose of doggie bags.

While I am not a member of the Climate Action, Environment and Energy Strategic Policy Committee, I know that a working group to examine the issue of dog fouling has been established. I have requested an update on the work of this group and will share that information in the coming period.