Dog poo in Nenagh sparks council’s concern

An increase in dog fouling in a number of areas around Nenagh is causing concern, with the local authority urging canine owners to be more responsible.

The expressions of concern from the council on the issue comes on foot of a complaint by a reader of this newspaper over the extent of dog fouling in the town.

He said the failure of owners to pick up after their pets was “a big problem in Saint Flannan's Street and all over the town”.

Nenagh Municipal District Administrator, Rosemary Joyce, said the local authority had noticed an increase in dog fouling on streets and greens in a number of areas of the town.

“This is a matter of serious concern, not only because it is unsightly, but because of the potential health issues,” said Ms Joyce.

She added: “The owners of dogs have a responsibility to clean up after their pets, and the majority of them do so. There are however a small number who do not.”

Ms Joyce said it was an offence by owners not to pick up after their

dog fouled.

“But it is difficult to enforce as it is not possible to identify the culprits,” she added.

She said it should not be the threat of enforcement which encourages people to do the right thing.

“We would appeal to dog owners to take responsibility and help to keep our streets and parks clean and free from dog fouling.”

‘DISRESPECTFUL’

The concerned citizen who made contact with this newspaper asking us to highlight the problem, said: “This is disrespectful to all the good people and business in Nenagh who are fed up cleaning up from lazy dog owners who fail to clean up after there dogs and expect normal hard working people to clean up.”

Tipperary County Council sets out the responsibilities of dog owners on its website: “Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 makes it an offence for the person in charge of a dog not to clean up when their dog fouls in a public place.

“This obligation particularly applies to public roads, footpaths, parks and beaches. Please act responsibly - clean up after your dog and dispose of the dirt in a suitable sanitary manner.”

The council goes on to warn: “Failure of a person in charge of a dog to remove dog faeces from a public place will lead to an on the spot fine of €150 or if convicted in court €3,000.”

HEALTH RISKS

This is not the first time that the Nenagh Municipal Council has had to remind local dog owners of their responsibilities.

Apart from the unsightliness and nuisance of dog poo on streets and greens, the authority has also previously highlighted the health dangers it poses.

It says: “From the public health perspective dog faeces are a serious public health hazard as they can be a source of zoonotic diseases i.e. diseases that may be transmitted from animals to humans.

“These include infections such as salmonella, campylobacter, E. coli, cryptosporidium, giardia and roundworms.

“Children and those who have poor immunity may be particularly susceptible to these infections and more likely to develop serious complications.”