Talking lamp-posts to warn dirty dog owners

Talking lamp-posts are set to be installed in Dublin city to warn dog owners to clean up after their pets, under a new litter management plan from Dublin City Council.

Dog fouling was the single biggest issue raised by Dubliners – mentioned in one-third of all submissions – during public consultation ahead of drafting the city’s Litter Management Plan 2016-2018.

The council is proposing to use pre-recorded messages reminding dog walkers to obey the law in “dog litter black spots” across the city. A similar system has been used in Balbriggan in north Dublin and Lahinch, Co Clare. The system costs €960 excluding VAT for three months per location.

The council is also planning a 12-week advertising campaign in Dublin cinemas to highlight “dog fouling issues”, as well as a social media campaign to encourage responsible dog owners to post “selfies” to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the identifier #binthepoo.

Dog owners caught breaking the law face a fine of €150 or up to €4,000 on court conviction. Last year the council’s 18 litter wardens issued 2,290 fines for littering, including dog fouling, almost 70 per cent of which went unpaid. Prosecutions were taken against almost one-third of offenders who failed to pay fines, but less than 10 per cent of those prosecutions were successful.

The draft litter plan will be available for public consultation from next month.