1 in 4 Dubliners Don't Always Clean Up After Dog

Almost one in four Dublin dog-owners don't always clean up after their pet, despite the city's residents considering dog litter to be a bigger problem than cigarette butts, gum or grafitti.

These are just some of the findings from a new survey Dublin City Council has commissioned into litter in the capital.

The survey was conducted by Millward Brown and examined Dubliners’ attitudes to litter and how they would like to see it tackled.

The survey found that 66% think dog litter is a problem.

34% have a dog, while 89% feel dog owners should clean up after their dog.

49% think the dog litter problem is getting worse and 10% admit to rarely or never cleaning up after their dog.

57% say fines are not sufficiently enforced, with only 26% saying they feel dog litter fines are enforced enough.

30% of those surveyed felt more education and awareness would improve the problem.

10% felt more wardens would be effective and 2% called for new laws.

"The survey confirms what many people probably think – dog litter is perceived to be one of the city’s most significant litter problems and not enough dog owners are taking responsibility for it," says Hugh Coughlan of Dublin City Council’s Waste Management Services.

"Things can only improve when attitudes change. Our message is that not cleaning up after your dog is unacceptable and is a health hazard. Your dog is your responsibility so clean up after it."

(IT/CD)