25/11/2013
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
Joint Dublin Dog Fouling Campaign Launched
Four Dublin Mayors join forces to combat dog fouling
Dubliners urged to clean up after their dog and report offenders
New hotline for all Dubliners to report dog fouling - 1800 251 500
400+ dog fouling complaints received in 2012
Monday 25th November 2013 – Launching a major new initiative to tackle dog fouling, Dublin’s four mayors urged Dubliners to clean up after their dogs and report offenders to a new hotline number 1800 251 500. Over 400 reports of dog fouling were received in 2012.
Dublin’s four local authorities, supported by Dublin Regional Authority, have joined together for a new campaign to sort out the problem of dog fouling in streets and parks across Dublin city and county. Currently there are in excess of 30,000 dogs living in Dublin, with 30,745 dog licences issued by the four Dublin local authorities in 2012 and 28,122 issued to date in 2013.
Funded by the Dublin Regional Authority, the campaign was launched today on Grafton Street by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Oisín Quinn, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr. Carrie Smyth, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Kieran Dennison, and Mayor of South Dublin, Cllr. Dermot Looney, along with Cathaoirleach of the Dublin Regional Authority, Cllr. Lettie McCarthy. Also lending their support were the campaign’s ambassador, actress and writer Tara Flynn and her dog Oscar.
The initiative will include a series of marketing and promotional initiatives to raise awareness of the environmental and health issues around dog fouling, as well as events for dog owners taking place in parks around Dublin city and county.
Campaign spokesperson, Therese Langan, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council commented, “Dog fouling remains a very serious issue and one of the top gripes for Dubliners. As a result, Dublin’s four local authorities are coming together to launch a new initiative aimed at encouraging all dog owners to clean up after their dog.”
“Dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs are creating a serious environmental and public health issue for everyone else. If not cleaned up and disposed of appropriately, dog faeces can cause serious medical problems such as Toxocara, leading to sight loss in children. It is also the leading environmental gripe that Dubliners have.”
“So when dog owners are walking their dog in the city, in the suburbs or in one of the city’s many parks, there really is no excuse – always scoop the poop. Whether it’s with a plastic bag or a pooper scooper, safely disposing of dog litter is not only showing respect for your neighbours, it’s the law.”
“We are also launching a new hotline number for Dubliner’s to report offending dog owners. By calling 1800 251 500 a report can be made of the location, time and date and the relevant Dublin local authority can take action.”
ENDS
For more information contact:
Cian Connaughton, MKC Communications – 087 6480809
Images
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Mayor at Launch