Dog poo seems to be a big issue in Dublin

Up to 7 in 10 people have walked in dog poo on the street in Dublin.

Walking to school, work, or just to a nearby shop somewhere in Dublin may become an unpleasant experience as soon as one walks in dog poo.

Dublin authorities said dog poo has turned into a major issue in public parks and other open spaces. Therefore, Dublin City Council launched dog fouling awareness campaign “Dog Poo, It’s Everybody’s Business” on March 12.

“Whether you own a dog or not, dog waste in public spaces affects everyone in the whole community,” Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon said.

Babies, visually impaired people, and wheelchair users are at higher risk of coming into contact with dog waste and eventually putting their health in danger, he added. The campaign thus aims to encourage dog owners to pick up after their dog.

Today, dog owners and dog walkers, nonetheless, must clean up after their dogs. If they fail to do so, they can face a fine of €150 under the Litter Pollution Act.

Many people walked in dog poo

Apart from that, Behaviours & Attitudes for Dogs Trust has recently carried out a study saying 57% of respondents claimed dog fouling in their area is a big problem.

For example, 7 in 10 people have walked in dog poo on the street and 51% came across dog poo in their local park. One third of respondents either rolled a bike or a buggy through dog poo as well.

However, 96% of dog owners said they pick up after their dog.

Bag it and Bint it

Dublin City Council’s Litter Prevention Officer, Ms. Bernie Lillis, said that the message they want to get across to dog owners and dog walkers is they should not leave the doggie bag on railings or in bushes or on the streets or footpaths.

“Instead they should ‘Bag it and Bin it’,” she added. The Council, in fact, urges people to use a Poo Bag or scooping device before they dispose of dog poo in the litter bin.

READ ALSO >> 10 parks in Dublin

It is estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million faecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhoea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans. Dog poo can also contain nasty bacteria such as E-coli and parasites like round worm, the larvae of which can cause loss of vision, Dublin City Council said.

The campaign aiming to remove dog poo from pavements and parks involves radio ads and outdoor and digital adverts, which will launch on March 23 and will run for two weeks.