New Donegal dog warden ‘a good start’ against dog fouling battle
Donegal Muncipal District councillors welcome new dog warden, but highlight dog fouling issues across the Donegal MD
A new addition of a dog warden to Donegal County Council was described as a “good start” to a dog fouling issue within South Donegal that was discussed by councillors of the Donegal Municipal District.
Cllr Jimmy Brogan said, regarding dog wardens at October’s Donegal MD meeting, that “the more the merrier” in terms of recruitment.
He stated dog fouling was “a massive issue.
“I always get called about it, and there is no answer to it.
“We need people on the ground, and if you catch enough people doing it, it will do something. A new dog warden is a good start, but I think a lot of dog wardens is a better start.”
Cllr Noel Jordan commented: “I would like to welcome the new dog warden. Dog fouling is a huge issue, particularly dogs not on leads.”
Bundoran-based Cllr Michael McMahon questioned the effectiveness of the campaign against dog fouling in the Bundoran areas.
He questioned: Regarding the dog wardens, how many towns will he be covering? There has been no change in our area as regards dog fouling. It is a plentiful job, not more than it ever was.
Cllr Micheál Naughton asked: “In relation to dog fouling, the €250 on-the-spot fine - are any of those fines coming out? What councillors said here is a huge issue.”
In response, Paul Gallagher of the Environment Section of Donegal County Council replied: “In relation to dog wardens, we now have three dog wardens who cover the county.
“They are not assigned a particular area. They go out and do campaigns, allocated between them. They will respond to questions or emergencies as they arise.
“If the member would like a workshop, this is something we can look at.”