Council get serious about problem of dog poo

If someone in a hi-vis jacket offers you a doggy bag, do not be alarmed. It is part of an initiative launched by Westmeath County Council to combat dog fouling.

Speaking at the launch last week, Ruth Maxwell of the council’s Environment Section, explained that the Green Dog Walkers (GDW) scheme is a non-confrontational friendly way to get people to clean up their pets’ poo. Community groups are urged to get involved by ordering their GDW toolkits from the council.

The toolkits include a guidebook, a hi-vis jacket which volunteers wear to show they have ‘taken the pledge’ to always clean up after their dogs, outdoor signs for the area and children’s colouring sheets.

The volunteers then invite other dog walkers to ‘take the pledge’ and offer them bags in case their dogs foul. The aim is to heighten public awareness of the need to clean up to the point where it becomes automatic to do so and socially unacceptable not to. Cllr Paul Hogan, chairperson of the Environment, Water and Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) formally launched the campaign at their meeting last week.

He said: “It is a community based scheme that volunteers can adopt and promote. The philosophy is to start shifting public attitudes so that it becomes socially unacceptable not to clean up after your dog. “With this change in attitude, it is hoped for a general acceptance that dog owners must clean up after their dog fouls and therefore reduce the amount of litter in public areas.”

Ms Maxwell said GDW toolkits will be available from the Environment Department and those wishing to take part should email:  awareness@westmeathcoco.ie or telephone 044 93 32125. The toolkits consist of pledge forms, guide booklets, signs, GDW hi vis vests and GDW dog collar attachments (which hold bags), and colouring sheets for children.

Running in conjunction with, and to support the Green Dog Walkers campaign is another initiative which consists of an audio device that will be triggered by walkers which will send out a message that will be audible to the passer-by to clean up after their dog and keep their town litter free.

Ms Maxwell said: “This is a relatively new initiative that has been trialled and proven to be successful in other areas of the country, and it will run for a two month trial period. Reports and statistics will be available following the trial that will report on the before and after situation.”

In a statement, the council said cinema goers will be shown a specially designed advert intended to remind viewers of their responsibilities as dog owners to clean up after their dogs, the consequences of dog dirt, both nuisance and health, and the reality that an off ence carries a €150 fine.

Cllr Hogan concluded: “This is a campaign to raise awareness with as many people as we can possibly target, from nappies to 90s, and its success will be reliant on the support of individuals and the wider community. “I am urging as many people as possible to get involved and take action to create a reaction that will see a measurable improvement on the footpaths, streets and parks of our county.”

For more, contact: mmccorm@westmeathcoco.ie; 044 93 32125.