Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

It's not his fault... myri_bonnie via Flickr/Creative Commons
Dirty Old Town

Two in five Dublin dog-owners aren't cleaning up after their pet

Dubliners consider the issue a worse problem than cigarette buts, chewing gum or graffiti.

DOG OWNERS SHOULD be making more of an effort to clean-up after their pet, according to a new litter survey carried out by Dublin City Council.

66 per cent of those who live and work in the city believe it’s a problem.

By comparison, three-fifths of people believe discarded cigarette butts are bringing down Dublin’s standard of cleanliness. 58 per cent have a problem with chewing gum thrown in the street, while 17 per cent said more should be done to tackle graffiti.

It was also found that almost two in five dog owners don’t always clean up after their animal.

According to the survey:

  • 66 per cent think dog litter is a problem
  • 34 per cent have a dog
  • 49 per cent think the dog litter problem is getting worse
  • 10 per cent admit to rarely or never cleaning up after their dog

The release of the findings coincides with the launch of a council awareness campaign on the issue today.

A statement from the council says that while it does enforce dog litter byelaws, “the extent and nature of the problem mean litter wardens can only be one part of the solution”.

Dublin City Council currently has 20 litter wardens and 2 dog wardens. It says it has distributed around 400,000 free “pooper scooper” bags to help tackle the problem.

According to Hugh Coughlan of Dublin City Council’s Waste Management Services: “Things can only improve when attitudes change. Our message is that not cleaning up after your dog is unacceptable and is a health hazard. Your dog is your responsibility so clean up after it”.

Read: TD suggests introduction of aerosol levy to tackle graffiti

Your Voice
Readers Comments
133
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.