No fines for dog fouling were issued in Tipperary last year

Tipperary County Council issued no fines for dog fouling offences in 2022.

Information obtained under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act shows that the county council did not issue a single fine for dog fouling offences in the county last year.

Responding to the FOI request, the local authority said: “The current legal framework makes this a complex area and an offence can be difficult to prove.

“An officer of the local authority would need to witness the dog fouling, establish ownership of the dog and may have difficulties obtaining the owner’s name and address.

“Tipperary County Council is extremely aware of the negative effects that dog fouling can have,” a council spokesperson stated.

“Not only is it unsightly, it can also have detrimental health consequences for the public, especially for young children.

“Tipperary County Council is committed to tackling the scourge of dog fouling by engaging with the public, raising awareness and trying to change behaviour.

“The council stresses that dog fouling is not acceptable”.

The local authority stated that it has implemented a number of measures to raise awareness and tackle dog fouling in the county.

To help owners dispose of their dog waste in a safe manner, Tipperary County Council has installed mutt mitt dispensers at convenient locations throughout the county.

“Mutt mitts can be turned into bags for the disposal of dog waste,” the local authority spokesperson explained.

“A map showing the 22 locations where these mutt mitts are available is accessible on the Tipperary County Council website”.

The council also introduced an anti-dog fouling hi-vis jacket campaign, whereby high-vis jackets featuring the slogan ‘My dog supports a clean environment – Keep Tipp Tidy’ were made available to dog owners free of charge.

The local authority also launched an anti-dog fouling social media campaign, erected anti-dog fouling signage at sites within the county and distributed awareness information at festivals and events during the summer months.

Information for dog owners in relation to their responsibility is available on the Tipperary County Council website.

“Tipperary County Council is committed to working hard to tackle dog fouling issues and will continue to raise awareness of the responsibilities of dog owners through campaigns and initiatives in 2023,” the spokesperson added.