Waterford City and County Council issue just two dog fouling fines in two years
Young woman holding trash bag while cleaning after pet.
Waterford City and County Council has issued only two dog fouling fines in two years.
According to records released to the Waterford News and Star under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, one fine was issued by the council in 2023 and the other in 2024.
The 2023 fine was issued at the Waterside Carpark in Waterford City, and the 2024 fine was issued at Anne Valley Walk, Kilcannon, Annestown.
Waterford City and County Council said in their response that they employ two dog wardens for the whole county. One is in the east of the county, and the other is in the west. However, they also have four environmental inspectors.
The issue of dog fouling was raised at this month’s sitting of Dungarvan-Lismore District Council.
Cllr Thomas Phelan asked if the council could do more to tackle the problem.
“Dog fouling on footpaths has unfortunately made a reappearance lately,” said Cllr Phelan. Senior Executive Officer, Dawn Wallace said she is aware of videos circulating on social media in relation to dog fouling in Dungarvan.
But, she said it is on owners to clean up after their dogs and that the council did run a poster campaign recently to highlight the issue.
Cllr Niamh O’Donovan said she raised concerns about taking away dog bins, at a recent Strategic Policy Committee meeting.
“We need a communication plan so people are aware why the bins are being taken away because look, it’s just a bad look for the council that it is all over social media that there is an issue with bins overflowing, and now all of a sudden its gone and bags left,” said Cllr O’Donovan.
Ms Wallace said she was not aware of what bin was removed, and there was an ongoing education campaign around dog fouling. But, she also said: “Everyone who has a dog knows they have to pick up after their dog. You shouldn’t really need to remind people of that, but we obviously do.”
