No falling foul of fines for Kilrush mutts

NOT a single Kilrush dog owner has been issued with a fine for incidents of dog-fouling inside the last five years, according to Clare County Council. In reply to a question of how many fines had been issued under Section 21 of the Litter Pollution Acts since 2005, Mary McMahon of the county council said that no fines have been issued during that time.

“A fine can only be issued where the dog owner is with the dog at the time the offence is committed,” Ms McMahon explained.
She added that the newly appointed community warden “is now actively patrolling activities of dogs in the town since his appointment in January”.
Ms McMahon said that fines will be issued if the community warden catches a dog in the act and as long as the owner is with the dog at the time.
“Unfortunately, it seems the majority of these incidences are occurring either very early in the morning or late in the evening after the community warden has finished for the day,” she noted.
Councillor Tom Prendeville said, “The problem of dog-fouling in recent weeks has been a constant source of public complaint. And what ever happened to the free pooper–scooper bags that were once available at the town hall reception desk?”
The Cappa councillor warned that dog-fouling would impact upon the town’s performance in the annual Tidy Towns competition, while he said that the town council were obliged to provide dog waste bins at Cappa Pier, Kilrush Wood and at the town marina.
Pointing out that owners had to take responsibility for their dogs’ behaviour, Ms McMahon said that pooper scoopers “will be available free of charge from the offices of Kilrush Town Council”.