Gorey Town Council has lost its patience with dog owners who fail to clean up the mess after their dogs and use the pooper scoopers and the bins provided and in a deadly serious crackdown on this nuisance will introduce intensive surveillance measures and on the spot fines of €150.

The Council has launched an anti-dog fouling campaign in conjunction with Wexford County Council and the aim of the campaign is to encourage every dog owner to meet their legal, and more importantly, their social obligation to their local community.

The solution to dog fouling is simple according to the Council; “If you are walking your dog in a public place, remember to clean it up.”

Cllr. Michael D’Arcy, Cathaoirleach, Gorey Town Council, is urging dog owners to clean up after their pets.

“Dog owners who walk their pets in any public place should always have a bag with them. If the dog fouls then the owner is obliged to pick up and dispose of the litter,” he said.

Under the Litter Pollution Act 1997-2009, “on-the-spot” fines of €150 can be issued to dog owners if they are caught walking away from a mess created by their pet.

Cllr. Colin Webb said that as chairperson of the North Wexford Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, he calls on all the animal welfare group’s supporters and the public to play their part and ensure they clean up after their dogs.

He added that responsible dog ownership includes better dog control and the importance of cleaning up dog fouling; “When a dog does its business, it’s your business, don’t leave the mess to frustrate others.”

He applauded the Council on their initiative and hopes that a concentrated effort to raise the awareness of the issue will stamp out dog fouling once and for all.

The campaign involves a stencilling programme, community warden patrols, new posters and leaflets, and the installation of bag dispensers in the town which includes locations in Gorey Town Park and the Courtown Road.

Dog owners are accountable for cleaning up after their pets in public areas.

Amanda Byrne, Gorey Town Clerk, stated that the campaign aims to not only enforce the law, but to also change behaviour and encourage dog owners to bag and bin their dog’s waste in any litter bin in the county, but she added that the campaign’s success is also dependent on the vigilance of the community.

Reporting anyone who does not clean up after their dog can be done to the Environment Section, Wexford County Council on the free phone anti-litter hotline 1800 386733.

Full story in THE GOREY ECHO this week.