Clare County’s Dog Warden is hopeful that his appointment as an authorised officer can help tackle the problem of dog fouling across the county.
Concerns are again being raised about the issue, in Ennis and in other areas.
A number of Ennis residents outlined their frustration on the town’s online forum page at the weekend about the issue of dog fouling in the town, including in the Tulla Road area.
Local resident Ann is one woman who wants the issue eradicated – she believes a lack of enforcement is the problem.
On foot of Ann’s interview today, similar issues in the likes of Sixmilebridge, Miltown Malbay, Lahinch, Kilrush, Shannon and Tulla were also raised, with frustration being expressed by a number of listeners.
On enforcement, a Freedom of Information request from Clare FM last year revealed just seven fines were issued for dog fouling in this county between 2014 and 2020 – with three of those coming last year.
At that time, Clare County Council called on pet owners to show ‘personal responsibility’ in tackling the problem, but the local authority is taking action too.
A process is underway whereby Clare’s County Dog Warden is set to receive powers to act as an authorised officer to fine those who are proven to not be cleaning up their dog’s mess.
Frankie Coote says he will be aiming to cover as many areas in the county as possible with the new powers, when the changes are enacted this spring.
