Dog fouling is not just unpleasant — for many people it’s a daily obstacle. Wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, parents pushing prams or with children and others are being forced to navigate unclean streets which pose a risk to their health.

Wicklow County Council’s Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC) is urging dog owners to be more considerate of vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and children this summer. They have launched a poster campaign featuring designs created by children from a local primary school, St Patrick’s NS in Wicklow Town. This campaign target’s known blackspots for dog fouling in major towns across County Wicklow. This campaign aims to highlight the issue that dog fouling is not just an inconvenience, for many people it is dangerous and poses a risk to their health. It also discourages individuals who rely on mobility aids from engaging with their communities.

Dog fouling poses a serious health risk to people with disabilities, as they may find it harder to avoid.  Wheelchair or mobility scooter users may inadvertently roll through dog waste, which can then be transferred onto their hands, clothes or inside their homes. People with visual impairments may not see the waste at all, increasing the likelihood of direct contact. Children also are at risk, as they step in it and unknowingly transfer it to their hands without their parent’s knowledge, especially in grassy areas or along popular walks. Dog waste can carry harmful bacteria and parasites such as toxocara canis, leading to infections and gastrointestinal illnesses, particularly harmful to those with compromised immune systems.

Dog owners who fail to clean up after pets can face fines of €150. There are four litter wardens monitoring compliance across the county. Additionally, several towns have seen significant improvements in the number and distribution of dog waste bins, thanks to the efforts of local Municipal District elected representatives and staff working to address the issue.

Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, stated, “Vulnerable groups like people with disabilities and parents with children are our family, friends, and neighbours. We need to recognise the serious risk that dog fouling poses for them and take responsibility for cleaning up after our dogs.”

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, added that “Wicklow County Council have been adding more dog fouling bins where there is a need and will continue to carry out patrols along heavily used amenity routes where there is a history of dog fouling incidents.”

IMAGES

Photo 1: (L to R) Cllr. Daniel Alvey, WCC General Service Supervisor Wicklow Area Ruben O’Neill, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow MD Cllr. Graham Richmond,  Cllr. Paul O'Brien, Wicklow MD District Administrator Georgina Franey with children from St Patrick's National School, Wicklow Town, who helped to design campaign posters. 

Photo 2: (L to R) Cllr. Warren O'Toole, James O'Brien, Cllr. Daniel Alvey, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow MD Cllr. Graham Richmond,  WCC General Service Supervisor Wicklow Area Ruben O’Neill, Cllr. Paul O'Brien, Wicklow MD District Administrator Georgina Franey, Laura O'Callaghan, Disability Federation Ireland, Leanne Doyle with children from St Patrick's National School, Wicklow Town, who helped to design campaign posters. 

Photo 3: Phoebe, Finn, Kathleen, Alisa and Roman from St Patrick's National School, Wicklow Town, who helped to design campaign posters.