Dog fouling

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.

 

Green Dog Walkers

Pro-actively changing attitudes about dog fouling in Co. Monaghan

What is the Green Dog Walkers project?

Monaghan County Council is delighted to be a signed up member of the Green Dog Walkers (GDW).  This is a non-confrontational, positive and friendly way to change attitudes about dog fouling in County Monaghan. Volunteers wear a GDW Hi-Viz vest, and their doggie friends wear the green GDW collar dispenser with biodegradable bags, to show they have “taken the pledge” to always:

  • Clean up after their dog
  • Carry extra dog waste bags
  • Be happy to be approached to ‘lend’ a dog waste bag to those without
  • Be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their dogs

We hope to sign up as many volunteers as possible in County Monaghan, with the help of Tidy Town Groups, local community group partners and our school children who can manage their own schemes within their towns and villages.

Many other local authorities in Ireland and the UK have taken on the Green Dog Walkers challenge with more coming on board. There are currently approximately 3000 pledgers throughout the Ireland and the UK.

How do I become a Green Dog Walker?

To become a Green Dog Walker, you can either download and return the pledge form and post it back to us or you can fill it out online.  Alternatively, call to any of our libraries or Municipal District Offices and get one there.  Once we’ve received your form, we will send out your own HI VIZ vest and your four legged friend will proudly wear a dispenser that can be attached to their collar.  So not only are we looking after the environment, but we are also reducing the carbon footprint of our furry pals!

If you wish to run your own GDW group in your area, contact us for a free starter pack.

 For more information, please contact:

Environmental Services Section, Monaghan County Council, Civic Offices, Riverside Road, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan A81 RY22.

042-9661240

greendogwalkers@monaghancoco.ie

www.monaghan.ie