Three fines for dog mess in Dublin this year 'insufficient'
Dublin City Council has confirmed that three people were fined in the city this year for failing to clean up after their dogs.
The figure was revealed as a new survey showed that 10% of dog owners admitted to rarely or never doing the messy deed.
The survey also found that dog mess was considered one of the capital’s biggest litter problems ahead of cigarettes, gum or graffiti – with the majority of people complaining that fines were not enforced sufficiently.
Hugh Coughlan, of the council’s waste management services, said: “The survey confirms what many people probably think – dog litter is perceived to be one of the city’s most significant litter problems and not enough dog owners are taking responsibility for it.
“Things can only improve when attitudes change.
“Our message is that not cleaning up after your dog is unacceptable and is a health hazard.
“Your dog is your responsibility so clean up after it.”
According to the survey, conducted by Milward Brown between August and September, 66% of Dubliners think dog litter is a problem in the city.
Almost nine in 10 believe that dog owners should clean up their mess, while 49% said the dog litter problem in the capital was getting worse.
Some 30% of the 400 people polled, which included 136 dog owners, said more education and awareness would improve the problem, while 57% said they felt fines were not sufficiently enforced.
Only three fines were issued in 2012.
