Dog fouling becoming increasing problem in Waterford

In 2023, just one dog fouling fine was issued across the entire county of Waterford.

This ongoing issue of dog fouling in the county was recently brought to light by a number of public representatives.

The elected members said that measures to clamp down on dog fouling on beaches, parks and in the city need to be more robust.

Cllr Declan Barry said that bye-laws which prohibit dogs on local beaches between 11am and 7pm, have not been introduced at Passage East beach.

Cllr Barry said: “I contacted the council here about dog fouling on the beach in Passage East, it is a very big problem down there."

“Unfortunately we’re not covered by bye-laws," he said.

"Woodstown, Tramore, Bonmahon, Clonea, Ardmore and Dunmore East are, and I would like to get Passage East included on that," he added.

Cllr Barry also commented that more bins need to be provided for dog owners.

“I requested some bags and bins for dog waste and I was told the resources are not there," he said.

"I’m not very happy with that answer," he added, before going on to comment: “We’re trying to encourage people to come to a lovely fishing village, nice and picturesque, to go for a stroll along the beach. People are carrying bags, and they will eventually just throw them on the ditch or on the side of the road."

“Surely it doesn’t cost too much to provide two bins and some dispenser to go with them," he said. 

Cllr Mary Roche suggested similar, enquiring about the possibility of providing biodegradable dog waste bags.

“People being who they are, they will under public scrutiny pick up their dog's waste, and then ten yards later when nobody is watching they are tossing it into a tree, or under a fence or over a hedge," she said.

"It’s really disgusting," she added.

The Social Democrats member went on to comment: “I’ve been down on the river walk on the Suir a number of times and it’s just unbelievable. I know volunteers are doing their best to keep up with it, but it really isn’t fair."

"The plastic bags seem to be exacerbating the situation, they don’t biodegrade," she said.

"At least if we had biodegradable bags it might make the situation a little better," she added.

"I know they’re more expensive but I really think it would be worth it."

Dawn Wallace, Waterford Council Senior Executive Officer said that the council biodegradable bags don’t necessarily “do what they say on the