Dog fouling in towns and villages has become an increasing litter issue over recent years. Not only is dog fouling unsightly, but it poses a health and safety risk to many, particularly those who use wheelchairs, pushchairs and prams. Dog fouling poses many challenges. Dogs let out unaccompanied is difficult to resolve unless the dog owner can be identified and is subsequently visited by the Dog Warden as letting a dog out unaccompanied is illegal under the Control of Dogs Act 1986, https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1986/act/32/enacted/en/index.html
Dog walkers are obliged to clean up after their dog and the Council has an ongoing awareness campaign to alert owners to their obligations.
As part of this campaign, Monaghan County Council has provided dog foul bins/bag dispensers at the following locations across the county, and more will be provided over the lifespan of this plan:
As part of a new initiative to help tackle dog foul on public footpaths, Monaghan Co. Council in conjunction with Carrickmacross Tidy Towns Committee opened the Dog Park in Carrickmacross. This is the first of its kind in County Monaghan, and it allows dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners. The park is fully fitted with dog foul bins.