With judging for the National Tidy Towns Awards ongoing, local dog owners have been urged to play their part by cleaning up after their pets.
Dog fouling has become increasingly problematic in towns, villages and public amenities across the county and owners are reminded that this is a health hazard and may be subject to a €150 fine under the Litter Pollution Act.
With this in mind, Roscommon County Council Litter Warden, Annette Donlon, and Education Officer, Theresa McCabe are promoting the ‘Green Dog Walkers’ project in Roscommon town in a bid to increase awareness and encourage people to take responsibility in relation to incidents of dog fouling.
Chairperson of Roscommon Tidy Towns, Cllr. Kathleen Shanagher has said dog fouling “has a negative and potentially harmful impact on members of the public out walking as well as wheelchair users on public footpaths”.
There are currently ten groups signed up to the project throughout the county and it is hoped that more Tidy Towns associations will also come on board.
Roscommon Tidy Towns member and dog owner, Mary Mulvhill, has signed up as a ‘Green Dog Walker’ and will be using environmentally friendly chalk spray provided by Roscommon County Council to mark incidents of fouling in local area. Mary will use different colour sprays each day to highlight fouling. Signage and dog mitts will also be located around the town to remind dog owners of their responsibility.
The ‘Green Dog Walkers’ project has proved to be very successful in Ballintubber and Ballyleague with incidents reduced due to increased awareness and the highly evident road and path ‘pick up or pay’ markings.
For more information on the ‘Green Dog Walkers’ project, contact the Environment Section of Roscommon County Council on 090-6637260.
