COUNCILLORS have called for better enforcement of the laws on dog fouling and for the owners to have more ‘cop-on’ about the issue, at the meeting of Tralee Municipal District meeting on Monday.

Cllr Norma Foley put forward the motion that the issue of roaming dogs and dogs fouling at Rath Graveyard be addressed on a periodic basis in an effort to address the issue.

“This is causing untold distress for people visiting the graves of loved ones in the cemetery. It’s an absolute insult that people would allow their dogs to roam freely. We have to take a proactive approach to prevent this going on,” said Cllr Foley.

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In reply, the Council said they would arrange for the dog warden to pay more regular visits there.

Cllr Sam Locke said that on Sunday night he witnessed greyhounds chasing rabbits in the cemetery and said what was going on there was “unreal”.

Cllr Toireasa Ferris said she knew of a case where a fine had been issued to someone but when challenged by the person’s solicitor it ‘went away’. Council management replied to this saying they could not secure enough evidence in that particular case to prove the offence and said dog fouling offences in general were particularly hard to prove.

“Enforcement is the only way we are going to see any improvement on this issue. I think it needs to be relayed back the relevant department that they need to start enforcing regardless of the cost or the risk,” added Cllr Ferris, who said people need to get the message that they will be brought to court and fined.

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Cllr Terry O’Brien said people need to have more cop-on. “A person who leaves greyhound loose in a graveyard? Where’s the respect there?” he said. He said dog owners out walking their pets should be challenged by the wardens and asked to produce their ‘pooper scooper’ bags.

Council management said they are now targeting areas before and after work hours when people are walking their dogs and when offences are likely to occur. They encouraged members of the public to challenge owners who let their dogs foul to make it more socially unacceptable.

“SURE, what’s the problem? It’s only natural,” was the response given by a dog owner who was challenged by a Kerry County Council litter warden recently when confronted about leaving dog-foul on the footpath.

A new month-long campaign on dog fouling which has been launched by the local authority and aims to change attitudes and reduce the amount of dog foul across the county.

Dog foul is unsightly, unpleasant for those who encounter it and is a major concern for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users.

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For wheelchair users and the visually impaired it can take up to two hours to clean up the mess after coming in contact with dog foul.

Further problems include a serious risk to children exposed to worms in dog foul leading to toxicariasis which in turn can cause blindness. Pedestrians slipping in dog foul have also suffered injuries.

George Dineen who is a member of Tralee Access Group operates a mechanical wheelchair. As George explains: “Sometimes it is impossible to avoid the dog foul if the path is narrow and I have to drive straight through it. It can be very embarrassing for me if I am in a shop afterwards and there is a horrible smell. I worry then if I have carried the dog foul into the shop on my wheels.”

Invariably the carer must clean the wheels and clean and vent out the smell from the vehicle they were travelling in after they get home.

The new campaign highlights the responsibilities that dog owners have in relation to the collection of all dog foul in public areas.

Through local media and social media, dog owners will be encouraged to clean up after their dogs and will be reminded that on-the-spot fines are applicable where an offence occurs. A fine of €150 can be applied by a litter warden in such a case.

There is a very clear message here, said the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr John Sheahan: “Everyone who owns a dog has a clear responsibility to clear up the waste their dog may generate. Dog foul is smelly, unsightly and can cause considerable inconvenience for those who walk or cycle on it. Parents pushing small children in buggies also encounter problems with dog foul on the wheels of the buggy. The message is clean up after your dog for health, safety and environmental reasons.”

KERRY County Council will be allocated €26,000 for public campaigns to tackle litter, dog fouling and graffiti  from the Environment Fund under the 2018 Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme (ALAGS).

The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten T.D.  announced the overall allocation of €884,000 from the Environment Fund to 31 Local Authorities.

The Scheme provides funding to local authorities to conduct public awareness and education campaigns at a community level targeting litter, dog fouling and graffiti.

Each local authority is responsible for selecting the suitable awareness projects that receive funding.

Minister Naughten stated: “Local authorities use this funding to raise awareness and encourage behavioural change to tackle graffiti and littering of all types, including gum, cigarette butts and  dog fouling, which is a particular bugbear of mine. Dog fouling is perhaps the most intrusive type of litter and a constant source of annoyance for us all on our streets, in our parks and on our beaches. I welcome any initiatives that will increase awareness of this nuisance litter and the many public health risks, particularly for children, that is associated with dog owners not picking up their dog’s waste.”