More dog waste bag dispensers wanted for Laois footpaths
Laois dog owners are to get more dog waste bag dispensers on their walking routes.
Laois County Council plans to install more Mutt Mitt dispensers around the county.
Already they have placed 75 of the metal dispensers in towns and villages, with the responsibility of keeping them filled with high grade biodegradable plastic bags filled by local volunteers. The tied bags can then be placed in any general waste bin.
A request has been made to add more dispensers and more signs warning owners against leaving waste behind, in the Portlaoise Municipal District.
Cllr Barry Walsh particularly wants the bins and signs in Ballyroan on walking routes, also asking for dog litter bins on each walking route with clear signage highlighting their use.
He tabled a motion to the Municipal District's March meeting.
In reply Environment engineer Adrian Barrett said that the council has provided 75 dispensers along popular walking routes, in partnership with local tidy towns groups.
"A single Mutt Mitt dispenser is provided in Ballyroan and is maintained with the support of a local volunteer. Additionally, new signs have been put up at many locations around the county, including two in Ballyroan," he said.
"Additional dispensers and signage will be deployed, in consultation with local groups, to support responsible dog ownership," Mr Barrett said.
He added that the council has a Green Dog Walking campaign to encourage owners to clean up.
"I was not aware of an existing bin in Ballyroan, maybe I'm wrong. It's not clearly signed. I'll get involved with the local groups and see can we move this on," Cllr Walsh said.