Kilrush dogs fall foul of the law

AN outbreak of indiscriminate dog fouling in Kilrush has led to some local people picking up unexpected injuries, it emerged at last week’s monthly Kilrush Town Council meeting. It was also pointed out at the meeting that dogs caught fouling while on a leash will lead to their owners being fined, while bizarrely, owners whose dogs foul while not on a leash, will not be punished.

“I understand that the traffic warden’s hands are tied due to inadequate insurance cover on the dog fouling issue,” Councillor Tom Prendeville said.
“While he has power to issue a penalty to a dog owner whose dog fouls while on a leash, he has no power to penalise a dog owner whose dog is unleashed,” Councillor Prendeville added, shaking his head in disbelief.
He then cited instances of injuries sustained due to people tumbling, when met with dog waste on the streets of Kilrush. “Some people have slipped and sustained injuries due to dog fouling,” Councillor Prendeville confirmed.
A leaflet drop, he suggested, could lead to a decrease in instances of illicit dog depositing.
“The solution to the problem is to send a leaflet to all homes in Kilrush advising dog owners of their responsibility on licensing, toileting and walking with a leash,” the Fianna Fáil town councillor maintained.
Councillor Prendeville also recommended that non-compliant dogs should be detained in a dog pound. “Erect signs forbidding dog owners to allow unleashed dogs to roam and foul indiscriminately on footpaths and grass areas,” he further advised.
Replying to Councillor Prendeville’s motion, Kilrush town clerk, John Corry insisted that the local authority was doing its best to resolve the problem.
“In 2009, Clare County Council will make a contribution of €130,000 towards operation and management of the dog warden service for the county. This contribution covers management costs, salaries (dog warden and kennel assistant), vehicle costs and insurance,” he explained.
“Kilrush Town Council notifies the dog warden of any breaches of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 within the town boundary to see that these breaches are enforced,” the town clerk added.