Trevor Laffan: Bigger dog fouling fines won’t wash - we need enforcement

There is only one thing more disgusting than seeing dog poo on the ground, and that’s stepping in it. Actually, I tell a lie, getting it on your hands is vomit- inducing.

There’s no shortage of the stuff either. It’s everywhere, and I think the problem is even getting worse.

The Irish Blue Cross is an animal charity, and it is urging pet owners to pick up and dispose of their dogs’ poo after their recent survey revealed 83% of respondents have come into unwanted contact with dog faeces in the last 12 months.

Some 63% of respondents believe the problem has worsened in the last year, and seven in 10 people are encountering dog poo daily, in public places.

It’s problematic across the water too. Keep Britain Tidy did some research into this problem and they found that 4% - approximately 520,000 dog owners - admit to leaving their dog’s poo unbagged, and they calculated that this equates to an estimated 35.3 tonnes of poo left on the ground in UK parks every single day.

But fear not, I have some breaking news. Dog fouling in public places is coming to an end in Ireland.

Yes, it’s true, and from September, 2026, our streets will be poo-free. Visitors to my home town of Cobh from the cruise ships will enjoy an enhanced tourist experience by not having to dodge the dog turds.

Imagine that! Letting the grandchildren roam freely in a turd-less society. I can hardly contain my excitement, but before we get too carried away, let’s have a closer look at this. They say the devil is always in the detail.

According to RTÉ, fines for littering and dog fouling will be increased by €100 from the beginning of September. Minister of State for the Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, announced that these on-the-spot fines will rise from €150 to €250.

He suggested that higher penalties will send a clear message that environmental neglect and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Increasing fines for littering and dog fouling will act as a stronger deterrent,” the minister said.

“It will encourage greater compliance and promote more responsible behaviour.

I don’t share his optimism, I’m afraid.

That’s because the Government will argue that they provide sufficient funding and it’s up to local authorities to decide on how best to use it.

Local authorities, on the other hand, will argue that they can’t afford to hire the additional enforcers required, and that they need extra funding.

So, like the appropriately named Department of the Circular Economy, the problem just keeps going round and round while we continue to deal with the poo.

Believe it or not, stepping in dog poop is considered a sign of good luck in some cultures. It specifically symbolises wealth or financial gain, apparently.

Believers say the next time it happens, you should consider it a quirky sign that something positive might be on the horizon.

In my culture, it will always be disgusting and should be eliminated.

Whenever this topic comes up for discussion, you’ll find it impossible to find any dog owner prepared to admit to allowing their pooch to mess the pathways.

Every owner will claim to be responsible, yet the problem still persists.

Bizarrely, some do go to the trouble of using the bags provided by the local authorities, but can’t manage to put them in a bin. They can often be found in hedges, in front gardens, and even floating on rivers.

Hardly the work of responsible dog owners, but maybe not all doggie people are as responsible as they claim to be.

I was out walking recently, and there was a woman coming towards me with two dogs. They weren’t on leads, and they were walking along behind her.

As I passed her, one of the dogs relieved himself right in the middle of the walkway. When he was finished, he trotted after his distracted mistress.

She was oblivious to the fact that he had left a mound behind him, so I called her and drew her attention to it.

She acknowledged it, thanked me, and picked up the offending heap, which was fair enough, but if I hadn’t alerted her, she probably wouldn’t have noticed.

Which raises the question, can you claim to be a responsible dog owner if you’re just ambling along, enjoying the view while giving Fido his freedom to mess at will?

If I hadn’t been there, that lady would have returned home fully convinced she had a poo-free walk and ready to condemn the less attentive for giving serious dog owners a bad reputation.

It’s a sad fact that, in this country, Hannibal could drive a herd of elephants through any town, leaving mountains of dung in his wake, without being challenged by any figure in authority.

There is simply too little enforcement, so the minister doubling the financial penalty for this offence is meaningless.

Dog fouling is not only a scourge, it’s a health hazard too, and for some more than others.

According to Vision Ireland, dog fouling is a public safety issue and poses health concerns for both children and adults. People who are blind or vision-impaired and who use mobility aids are particularly at risk.

In a Vision Ireland survey, one respondent said: “Dog fouling gets all over my cane and shoes, and a lot of the time I don’t realise.

“If I’m folding up my cane, it will get on my hands, which is embarrassing and disgusting, and it would be much easier if an owner picks up after their dog.”

Vision Ireland are imploring dog owners to act responsibly and consider other users of shared footpaths. Unfortunately, pleas like this usually just fall on deaf ears.

A wake-up call for ignorant dog owners would be really positive, but increasing the fines will have little impact.