French cries foul over lack of fines
No fines were issued for dog fouling by Meath County Council over the past two years.
Cllr Noel French expressed disappointment at the figures but said sufficient evidence of littering is required to obtain a prosecution in the courts.
"In many cases, while fines are issued based on information received from members of the public, getting the witness to subsequently attend court to give evidence often proves very problematic.
"This is particularly so in the case of reported dog fouling incidences," he said.
In response to a question from Cllr French, he was informed that no fines were issued for dog fouling in 2019 and 2020. Nine fines were issued in 2018, but only three of those were paid.
1n 2017 three were issued and two paid, in 2016 four were issued and two paid and in 2015, five were issued and one paid.
Cllr French said he had received numerous reports of dog fouling on paths.
"Dogs are the responsibility of their owners, and not cleaning up after your dog is absolutely unacceptable. Dog fouling is also a health hazard. The vast majority of dog owners are very responsible and create no problems but a small number ignore their social duty.
“We have to make it socially unacceptable to allow your dog foul a public area. I am appealing to members of the public to report dog fouling. It is not easy to catch the offenders in the act and there can be difficulty in getting identification of the person involved.
“We need to send out a message that dog fouling is disgusting and unacceptable.” said Cllr French.
He pointed out that almost half the county councils in the country do not issue dog fouling fines.
"If you are planning a walk please ensure that you dispose your bag in any public bin or else bring it home with you. No excuse."
He called for more stick and less carrot in litter control in the county.
"It is only a very small number of people who litter or allow their dogs foul the streets.
“We need to send them a message - that this is not acceptable. I would like to see more fines issued and more brought to completion.”