Two Dublin local authorities are among the eleven nationwide to have issued no dog fouling fines during 2021, according to figures obtained by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI).
Dublin City Council and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council handed out no fines for the offence last year, while South Dublin County Council issued two fines. Fingal issued 15 fines, the second highest in Ireland only behind Kerry, who handed out 31. Cork issued seven fines, Cavan two, Carlow one, Kildare three, Galway County two, Limerick City & County four, Louth nine and Sligo one.
Clare, Galway City, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Tipperary and Westmeath joined Dublin City Council and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown in issuing no fines. Donegal, Laois, Longford, Mayo, Roscommon, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow did not provide figures on their dog fouling fines to the NCBI. Under the Litter Pollution Act it is an offence for a person in charge of a dog to allow the dog foul public spaces without removing and disposing of it “in a sanitary manner”. Local authorities have the power to issue on-the-spot fines of €150 while cases which go to court can see a maximum fine of €4,000.
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The NCBI released the figures while launching its Clear our Paths campaign, which is "aimed at creating a safer and cleaner environment on our streets for people who are blind or vision impaired to get around independently." The charity is highlighting the danger that dog fouling, wheelie bins and cars parked on footpaths poses to people with sight loss.
June Tinsley, NCBI Head of Advocacy and Communications said: "This campaign is aimed at informing and educating people on the impact that temporary obstacles and shared spaces have on people who have sight loss. Everyday obstacles such as cars parked on footpaths, dog fouling, overhanging branches, wheelie bins etc., can obstruct or injure someone who is blind or vision impaired as they try to navigate past safely. We are encouraging people to be mindful of these obstacles and remove them to ensure our footpaths are safe and clean."
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