Dog owners who allow their pets to foul in public areas and do not clean the mess left behind are “a disgrace” with “no regard” for anyone else.
This is the view of Independent Galway City East councillor Terry O’Flaherty who is calling on the Galway City Council to take a tougher and more pro-active line against irresponsible dog owners.
“Dog fouling has gotten completely out of control,” she said. “It is becoming impossible to walk on the footpaths, parks, and or on the city beaches because of it. Dog owners who allow their pets to foul in public areas have no regard for wheelchair users, people pushing buggies, or those who enjoy walking.”
The councillor is calling for the erection of signs, more bins, and enforcement in relation to dog fouling, and she has accused City Hall of a “lack of enforcement” on the issue, which she says has “allowed the situation to escalate”.
Cllr O’Flaherty has had meetings with the council’s educational environment officer who has agreed to erect signs in various areas highlighting the dog fouling issue.
“The city council needs to get serious in enforcing the Litter Act when it comes to dog fouling,” she said, “while dog owners should clean up the mess and not to leave it to others to do this dirty job for them.”
