How dog poo in the sea and on the beach is putting your health at risk

Dog owners have been urged to clean up after their pets on beaches to eliminate the risk that poo poses to bathing waters in Donegal.

If left on beaches it can pose a number of dangers to both human health and the environment.

Firstly, dog feces contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause a range of diseases, including E. coli, salmonella, and roundworm. These pathogens can survive in the sand for weeks, putting beachgoers at risk of contracting illness if they come into contact with contaminated sand.

Additionally, dog waste contains nutrients that can contribute to water pollution and harm marine life.

When dog poo is left on the beach (as above), rainwater and tidal action can wash it into the water, increasing the levels of harmful bacteria in the sea. This can cause algal blooms, fish kills, and other environmental problems that can have a negative impact on the local ecosystem.

Furthermore, dog waste left on beaches can be unsightly and unpleasant for other beachgoers, reducing the overall enjoyment of the beach for everyone.

Independent councilor, Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig was reacting to several reports from local constituents who had discovered rubbish tips, many containing dog poo at Magheroarty beach and a number of other beaches in west Donegal.

He said some people believe that leaving dog poo on the beach is okay because the tide washes it away.

"This 'natural disposal technique' can affect water quality and pose a risk to public health because of the high levels of bacteria contained in dog mess.

"Dog poo contains high levels of bacteria. Just one gram of dog poo diluted in one million litres of sea water - that’s enough to fill six double decker buses or two and half standard swimming pools - could pose a health risk to bathers."

He added dog mess contains high levels of the two types of bacteria that are measured when testing bathing water quality and can determine whether the classification of a bathing water is excellent, good, sufficient or poor.

"In fact less than half a teaspoon of dog mess contains enough bacteria to potentially affect the classification of a bathing water and we don't want that along any part of our coast, especially our Blue Flag beaches."

Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said Donegal County Council organised a campaign every year (above) focused on reducing pollution and litter at the beach and also ask dog owners to help with ongoing improvements, both at beach locations and in their own towns and villages.

"To avoid these dangers, it's important for dog owners to clean up after their pets and properly dispose of dog waste in designated bins. If there are no bins they shoudl take the poo home and dispose of it properly

"Many beach users have dog waste bags with them available for this purpose. By taking responsibility for their pets and keeping our beaches clean, dog owners can help to protect both human health and the environment," he added.