JUST 48 FINES were issued by local authorities across the country for dog fouling last year. 

According to new figures released by Vision Ireland, there were 14 local council areas in 2024 where no dog fouling fines were issued at all. 

The charity said dog fouling is a public safety issue which can pose risks for children and adults, with blind and vision impaired people particularly at risk of dog fouling. It has urged dog owners to act responsibly and consider other users of shared footpaths. 

The 48 fines issued for dog fouling last year marked an increase of two on the 46 issued in 2023. However, both are significantly lower than the 82 fines issued in 2022. 

According to the data, Cork County Council issued the highest number of fines for dog waste last year with 11, followed by Cavan County Council and Fingal County Council, which issued six fines each. 

Louth County Council issued five fines, Kildare issued four and Laois issued three. 

While some 11 local authorities issued just one or two fines, 14 local authorities – almost half of the total 31 – issued no fines for dog fouling last year.

These were Carlow; Cork City; Donegal; Dublin City; Dun Laoghaire Rathdown; Kilkenny; Leitrim; Longford, Mayo; Offaly; Tipperary; Sligo; Westmeath; Wexford.  

The issue of dog dirt on footpaths has been highlighted as a problem by a number of groups over the years. It is particularly prevalent in the capital, especially in suburban areas. 

Last year, The Journal found that only one fine for dog fouling was paid in Dublin city between 2019 and 2023 – and it was cancelled on appeal.

A survey of 281 people carried out by Vision Ireland found that 42% of respondents were impacted by dog waste in public spaces on a frequent basis.

It was conducted as part of the charity’s Clear Our Paths campaign to raise awareness of everyday obstacles faced by blind and vision impaired people on footpaths. 

One respondent said: “Dog fouling gets all over my cane and shoes, and a lot of the time, I don’t realise. If I’m folding up my cane, it will get on my hands which is embarrassing and disgusting, and it would be much easier if an owner picks up after their dog”.

Vision Ireland also said that cars parked on footpaths also pose hazards and affect the ability of people who are vision impaired to navigate public spaces, with 71% of survey respondents stating that parked cars frequently block their route when using a path.

Some 26% of respondents identified parked cars as the number one obstacle which causes them the greatest difficulty when navigating footpaths. 

Data provided by local authorities to Vision Ireland found that 21,032 fines were issued to motorists last year for parking on footpaths, a 5% decrease in the total number issued in 2023.

While Dublin City Council issued 4,703 fines for illegal parking, Leitrim and Roscommon issued just five and zero fines, respectively. 

“It’s unacceptable that people who are blind or vision impaired must put themselves in danger while having to avoid illegally parked cars,” Vision Ireland’s head of policy Kevin Kelly said. 

“The health and hygiene issues around dog waste are equally alarming. People going about their day should be able to do so freely, but we know from the 21,000 fines issued in 2024 that there are countless hazards on Irish footpaths.

“Fines alone are not the answer, and we urge the public to be more considerate of the needs of everyone who uses our shared spaces.”