Local councils have been criticised for a lacklustre response to dog fouling on public footpaths, as acquiring insight from Vision Ireland highlights a paltry 46 set penalties given out for the transgression in 2023. With an average of only 1.5 fines assigned by each council that provided data, the charity points to a decrease of 36 penalties compared to the previous year. Vision Ireland, representing those visually impaired or blind, is urging both councils and dog owners to rectify the situation, citing the significant health and safety risk dog waste poses to individuals utilising mobility aids. Out of the 31 surveyed councils, 18 didn’t issue a single fine over the course of the year – the most active council, Kerry County, issued just 13. A study conducted by Vision Ireland amongst the blind and visually impaired revealed that more than a third have encountered issues with dog waste in communal areas. In addition to posing as a slipping hazard, the charity highlighted the issue faced by white cane users who often end up having their mobility tools soiled by faeces. Despite the low nationwide numbers, the charity praised local council initiatives aiming to cut down on dog litter; from Meath County Council’s informational leaflets to Clare County Council’s distribution of dog waste bags at offices and high-traffic locations. Vision Ireland also drew attention to Tipperary County Council and Longford County Council providing Mutt Mitts for safe dog waste disposal. On a separate note, Vision Ireland’s survey revealed parked cars on footpaths as another key concern, with over 22,000 fines imposed within the year. 70% of respondents flagged parked vehicles as obstructions on public paths. Kevin Kelly, policy head at Vision Ireland, stated, “Both parked cars and dog waste are among the key obstacles blinds and visually impaired individuals encounter on our footpaths”. He emphasised the number of parking penalties alone indicates the numerous impediments faced by visually impaired pedestrians in their daily lives.
