1. Seán Ó Laoide County Veterinary Officer.
Better Links Stronger Communities Tidy Towns Conference Responsible Dog Ownership
Seán Ó Laoide County Veterinary Officer.

2. Outline of presentation
The Law
Components of Responsible Dog Ownership
Dog Fouling
Westmeath County Council Experience

3. The Law Control of Dogs Acts
Under the Control of Dogs Act 1986 as amended by the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act 1992 all local authorities in Ireland are responsible for the control of dogs. Local authorities have the power to appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against owners.

4. The Law Section 2 :Prohibition on keeping a dog without a licence.
Section 9 1) The owner or any other person in charge of a dog shall not permit the dog to be in any place other than..
a) the premises of the owner, or
(b) the premises of such other person in charge of the dog, or
(c) the premises of any other person, with the consent of that person, unless such owner or such other person in charge of the dog accompanies it and keeps it under effectual control.

5. The Law Other Important Sections Section 25 : Barking
Section 22 Dangerous Dogs
Limitations of the Acts
Reactive rather than proactive.
No definition of “effectual control “.
No duty of care provision leading to a casual approach to dog ownership.

6. Components of Responsible Dog Ownership
Acquiring knowledge required for good decision making.
Serious consideration of the responsibilities of dog ownership.
Commitment to legal compliance.
Commitment to societal and environmental responsibilities.
The key components of responsible dog acquisition :
Appropriate Dog
Appropriate Facilities
Appropriate owner – matching lifestyle.

7. Dog Fouling Litter Pollution Act
Under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act it is an offence to allow a dog under your control to foul a public place. This means the owner or person in charge of the dog is required to remove dog faeces and dispose of them in a suitable, sanitary manner.
You can complain to the District Court under the litter laws against an owner or someone in charge of a dog who allows that dog to foul public places and who fails to act responsibly. Before you do this, you must first inform the dog owner of your intention by completing a special form available from the Dog Control Unit of your local authority

8. Westmeath County Council’s Experience

9. Dog Fouling :Key Actions :
Distribution of leaflets re responsible dog ownership
Targeting of estates for dog fouling/control/licences
Enforcement / On the spot fines
Bin stickers
Poster campaign for veterinary clinics and pet shops
Poster campaign for community groups
Warden asks people walking their dog if they have a bag and supplies them if they don't
Large newspaper adverts
Introduction of Green Dog Walkers initiative
Golden Ticket award
Press releases
Pop up banners advertising "any bag any bin" - displayed at all public functions
Animal husbandry talks by wardens as part of their green school visits
School competition highlighting issue of dog fouling
Increased signage on wardens vans
Increased signage at pound
Work with community groups to highlight issues
Promote policy at community & enterprise workshops
Promoting benefits of neutering/spaying/micro chipping etc
Promotion of legal requirements of dog owner
Supply free bags at libraries and swimming pool
Provision of dog fouling bag dispenser.
Stencils on foothpaths

10. Stages to Behavioural Change
Awareness
Motivation
Action

11. What is Green Dog Walkers?
It involves empowering local communities and groups to meet the challenges of dog fouling in a non-confrontational, friendly way. Dog owners are encouraged to “take a pledge” whereby, they agree to comply with certain criteria including wearing of a green dog walkers hi vis vest/ use dog bag dispenser when walking their dog, cleaning up after their dog, and encouraging  others to clean up after their dog and being willing to “lend” a bag to those without.

12. behavioural change among dog owners
The tools required to bring about behavioural change include increasing of :
awareness,
education and
enforcement of the Litter Pollution Act.
Westmeath County Council has been actively engaged with this issue over the past number of years.

13. Responsible dog Ownership

14. Green Dog Walkers

15. Bin the Poo

16. Any Bag any Bin

17. Litter / Waste – Preventative Solutions
Audio Device
Litter / Waste – Preventative Solutions
Programmable Audio Device
Proven to reduce illegal dumping by 80%
Proven to reduce dog fouling by 82%
The purpose of the Audio Device is to...
Reinforce current messages through an innovative new method.
Target popular dog walking areas.
Accelerate changes to behaviour regarding dog owners carrying dog foul bags and cleaning after their dogs.
Change culture such that not cleaning dog foul is socially unacceptable – this will create a ‘self-policing’ culture over time.
Deliver a safer environment for all to enjoy.

18. Conclusions
Cultural Change is evident in relation to Dog Ownership – Now dogs increasingly seen as members of the family.
Dog Owner behavioural change required regarding social and environmental responsibility.