‘Increased dog-foul fine won’t solve issue’, says Cork councillor

An increase in the fines for dog fouling will make no difference in Cork city, because no fines have been issued since 2022, a councillor has said.

Labour’s Peter Horgan has called for new legislation to address the issue. Alan Dillon, Department of Climate, Energy, and the Environment state minister, last week announced that from September 1 on-the-spot-fines for dog fouling and littering will increase from €150 to €250.

“By strengthening enforcement measures and encouraging behavioural change, the increased fines will contribute to a cleaner environment, improved public health, and a better quality of life for everyone,” said Mr Dillion. However, no dog-fouling fines were issued in Cork city last year, for the third year in a row, Cork City Council has confirmed. Just one fine was issued in 2022.

A council spokesperson told The Echo: “Wardens have undertaken overtime on weekends, out of uniforms, focusing on dog-walking areas to catch culprits. However, fines for dog fouling are the most difficult to issue, as it requires being close enough to observe the owner not cleaning up after their dog.”

Mr Horgan has repeated his call for new rules to make it easier for wardens to catch culprits, saying that simply increasing the fine, while leaving the same “broken enforcement system” in place, will not solve the problem.

Struggling to issue fines

He said: “For years, we have heard announcements about tougher penalties, but the reality is that councils across the country are struggling to issue any fines at all, because of the impossible evidential burden involved.

“At present, a litter warden effectively has to witness the offence in full, identify the individual involved, and then rely on members of the public being willing to go to court. That system simply is not working.”

 Mr Horgan has previously called for reform of dog-fouling offence enforcement, including bylaws requiring owners to carry bags or cleaning materials while walking their dogs, alongside increased enforcement patrols and practical supports, such as bag dispensers in public parks and high-footfall areas.

“We need visible enforcement at the times when offences are actually occurring, not just more posters and press releases. We also need legislation that removes the current burden of proof that is preventing wardens from acting effectively,” he said.

Dog-fouling campaign

The council spokesperson said that while no fines were issued for dog fouling last year, the authority works with key stakeholders across the city, such as community groups, schools, and businesses to encourage people to dispose of their dog’s poo responsibly.

“In recent weeks, the council launched its new dog-fouling campaign to raise awareness of the impact dog fouling has on those most vulnerable in society, such as children, the visually impaired, wheelchair users, and the elderly.”

They added that in the first two weeks of the campaign, over 20,000 free poo bags have been distributed to the public.