Concerns raised over dog fouling on Limerick farms
SOME WALKERS out enjoying a stroll with their dogs are ‘scooping the poop’ but, unfortunately, are then throwing it onto farmers’ land, a local meeting in Limerick has heard.
The issue was raised at a Cappmore-Kilmallock Municipal District meeting during a motion put forward by Cllr Ger Mitchellwho called for “new fit for purpose legislation to be introduced and enacted relating to dogs entering on lands which may cause injury to persons or animals, to prevent distress to farmers, owners and their animals”.
Cllr Mitchell said there are those out there who expect Tidy Towns’ people to pik up dog litter.
“These are voluntary people. The people with the dogs should be picking it up themselves,” said Cllr Mitchell.
Cllr Brigid Teefy said dog litter is being left in playgrounds, sportsfields, footpaths.
Cathaoirleach, John Egan, said on the walking route from Holycross to Bruff some people are picking up their dog’s ‘business’ and “throwing it out on the farmers’ land bounding it”.
Cllr Eddie Ryan said he has received similar complaints regarding dog excrement.
“They are picking it up but where does it go - only out over the farmer’s ditch,” said Cllr Ryan.
In one of many stories in the Limerick Leader regarding gangs of men with lurchers trespassing on land to hunt hares, a farmer highlighted that dog faeces left on fields could expose cows to a parasitic infection (neospara) that may result in early abortions or leave calves infected with the parasite.
Following on from his motion, Cllr Mitchell said: “This legislation should include the appointment of sufficient dog wardens to monitor, enforce and follow up on reports.”
Cllr Mike Donegan said Cllr Mitchell’s motion should be sent forward to the full council meeting to be discussed.
The motion was unanimously agreed.