I have been approached by several people over the last few weeks to write something about the amount of dog fouling that is plainly visible around Cobh at the moment. Many of us have highlighted this issue in the past but unfortunately the situation hasn’t improved. In fact, I think it’s getting worse.
As far as dog fouling is concerned, we’re starting 2019 in the same way we finished the previous year. If you don’t want to take my word for it, just take a walk in the Five-Foot Way and you’ll see the evidence for yourself. Continue on through the town, along Harbour Row and along Connolly Street to the Titanic Memorial Garden and there is no shortage of dog fouling to be seen.
The comments on social media would seem to indicate that other areas of the town are equally destroyed. It’s not good enough and there is no excuse for it but the dog owners in question couldn’t care less.
I don’t have a dog and I never had any interest in having one. Taking it for walks, cleaning up after it or finding a home for it when I go on holidays isn’t my cup of tea and I’m not prepared to do it and that’s why I’ve never had a dog. But lots of people do have one and I can understand that.
But along with dog ownership, comes responsibility but sadly, there are too many who just don’t get it. There are two types of dog owner. The one who looks after the dog properly and then there’s the other type.
I’m often accused of being anti dog, but the reality is that I have nothing against them, but I do have a low tolerance of dog owners who do not behave responsibly. Especially those who refuse to exercise control over their animals and prefer to let them to wander the streets to foul the public space at will.
Many dog owners control their animals and clean up after them but there are also plenty who don’t and they’re happy to allow their animals to use the streets and footpaths of Cobh as a public toilet. They have little or no regard for anybody else and they treat the rest of us with contempt. They are plainly flouting the law as well, but why wouldn’t they when there is no enforcement.
According to Cork City Council, under Section 22 (of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997) , if a dog fouls in a public place, the owner commits an offence if he, or she, fails to remove and dispose of the mess. This means that the person in charge of the dog is required by law to remove dog faeces and dispose of it in a suitable and sanitary way.
Unfortunately, no matter how often we highlight this issue, it doesn’t seem to make a difference. We have lots of rules and regulations governing the control of dogs in public places. Rules about dog fouling, excessive barking, and dogs being under effective control in public. On the other hand, we have an abundance of dogs roaming freely around Cobh, pooping and barking at will.
And the irresponsible owners couldn’t care less.