Voluntary dog wardens likely

Voluntary dog wardens armed with the power to issue on-the-spot fines could be used in the battle against dog fouling in Co Cork.

Cork County Council is to examine the possibility of deploying volunteers from such groups as Tidy Towns in an effort to tackle a problem which councillors claim is getting out of hand.

The council’s efforts in encouraging owners to clean up after their pets have included putting up 1,200 anti-dog fouling signs around the county and producing public health leaflets.

But despite this many areas are covered in dog faeces and by its own admission the local authority only managed to issue two on-the-spot fines last year.

Chief veterinary officer Dan Crowley said there were weaknesses with the current legislation, the Control of Dogs Act 1986 and Litter Pollution Act 1977.

He said these included the ability to confirm dog ownership and the allowed excuse that the owner forgot the poop bag, or was going back to the car to get it.

The issue was raised by Cllrs Seamus McGrath (FF) and Marcia D’Alton (Ind). The former said dog fouling represented a serious health and safety issue and he asked for community groups to help tackle the issue.

Cllr D’Alton (Ind) said that initiatives had worked well elsewhere as in Co Clare where audio warnings were put on two beaches and dog fouling decreased by 50%.

She also urged the local authority to set up a pilot scheme for community dog wardens.

Cllr Cathal Rasmussen (Lab) said he thought community wardens were a good idea, but was concerned problems might develop between them and dog owners.

Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) said that he recently came across a young child in a wheelchair whose hands were covered in dog faeces as a result of pushing herself around a town.