Holmes Beach Dog fouling owners called to task

At the monthly May meeting of the Donegal Municipal District, Cllr Noel Jordan (SF) expressed his “huge frustration at the Holmes beach” near Donegal Town relating to the levels of dog fouling that was currently taking place there.

He said that there was no signage whatsoever at the location to indicate to owners that they had a responsibility when taking their dogs for a walk there.

He told fellow members: “It may not be a deterrent but it puts it up to the owners that they have a responsibility.”

He said that what he had observed was “simply not acceptable” and he asked that the council bring forward an awareness campaign with more signage for the responsibility that dog owners have by law, especially at “scenic areas and beaches” with the county.

He said that the message also must strongly suggest that they take a “dog fouling bag” with them and that the council would also need to ensure that there was an adequate supply of the same where they were dispensed.

He added that the the litter warden should also be calling to areas like this on a random basis and

“Certainly signage would be a good start,” he said, adding “that the message on it that a fine is possible”.

Cllr Michael McMahon (SF) concurred with the sentiments expressed by Cllr Jordan, but added that the problem sadly extended beyond just dog fouling when it came to the extent of the rubbish being left at bottle banks.

He said that he was on record for repeatedly looking for cameras to be installed beside bottle banks within the MD and beyond.

“We are losing the war against this as it is happening on a regular basis. The government was supposed to sign off on this, people are getting away with this all the time.”

He also highlighted a growing trend with the propensity for the great levels of illegal dumping that was now taking place when dusk arrived and that while the dumping may not be as obvious during daylight hours and was all the greater reason for the CCTV cameras.

He said that he would not care to describe the “dose of nappies” that he recently saw at such a bottle bank.

Cllr Barry Sweeny (FG) agreed that it was a constant battle, but he wanted to pay tribute for the sometimes forgotten heroes in all of this and that were the groups and associations involved with cleaning up their towns and he wanted to pay special thanks to those in Ballyshannon who had recently engaged in a very substantial clean up operation in the Erne Town.