AROUND €10,000 WAS spent in 2013 to tackle dog fouling, however only two fines were issued by Dublin City Council for the offence last year.

Of the two fines that were issued – only one was paid.

Speaking about the Joint Dog Fouling Campaign, Dublin City Councillor Noeleen Reilly said:

“It is quite clear that this hasn’t worked when we see that only two people were fined in Dublin city last year. There isn’t a month that goes by that I wouldn’t request ‘No Dog fouling signs’ for some part of my constituency.

The problem is very bad; it is disgusting and irresponsible of pet owners not to clean up after their dogs. I often find myself walking down the street on my tippy toes trying to avoid dog faeces.

Dublin City Council estimates that around 30,000 dogs live in Dublin city and county yet in total only 13 fines were issued for 2014.

All four Dublin local authorities were involved in the campaign:

Five fines were issued by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, three by Fingal County Council, three by South Dublin County Council and two by Dublin City Council.

Cllr Reilly added that “Dog Fouling is a complete scourge on the footpaths and streets of Dublin.”

Speaking about Dublin city, she said, “The mere fact that only 2 fines have been issued shows this situation is not being monitored”.

Read: Woman threatens dog owners who don’t scoop the poop with unusual punishment>