BAGS of dog poo are decorating trees across Limerick City like “Christmas baubles” because of the lack of dog waste bins.
That was the claim from councillors at this Monday’s Limerick City and County Council Metropolitan District meeting.
Labour Party councillor Joe Leddin called on the council’s Environment officials to consider emulating a campaign successfully introduced by Galway City Council in an attempt to reduce the incidences of dog fouling on public footpaths.
He said that despite signs warning of fines, in addition to red coloured bins at various locations, there has been a considerable increase in reported incidences of dog fouling across the city.
“Galway City Council initiated a campaign entitled ‘Clean it Up You Dirty Pup’ with the campaign slogan stencilled across footpaths in areas were high levels of fouling was being reported.
In addition to the council’s campaign, residents in affected areas were supplied with spray paints to spray over dog poop to further highlight the problem and alert pedestrians,” Cllr Leddin explained.
“Many dog owners usually walk their dogs on similar walking routes and trails, and officials from Galway City Council claimed that over a three month period a 55 per cent drop in dog fouling was recorded arising from their awareness campaign,” he added.
The City West representative went onto say that fouling on footpaths and parks is a health hazard and the appearance of dog poo completely spoils the enjoyment of civic spaces.
Cllr Leddin’s party colleague Conor Sheehan said that one of his pet hates is bags of dog poo being left on the handles of bins.
“It is being hung on branches of trees along the canal like Christmas baubles. Bring your dog poo home,” he pleaded.
Fine Gael councillor Dan McSweeney told the council executive that there is a dog waste bin across the road from County Hall that has been full since the previous Wednesday.
Fianna Fáil councillor James Collins said that due to the lack of dog poo bins, people were throwing it in ditches.
“I can take you up the road here and show you where bags of dog poo is left hanging from trees,” he added.
In response, the Council said it will undertake research into the Galway City Council campaign and will consider whether it could be implemented in Limerick.
