Tipperary, Clare, Cork and Limerick Local Authorities are collaborating on a new social media campaign to combat dog litter. This campaign is taking place from Wednesday 28th April to Monday 3rd May, to coincide with the May bank holiday where more people than ever will be expected to be out walking their dogs.
The purpose of the social media campaign is to raise awareness with dog owners of the importance of taking personal responsibility and cleaning up after their dog.
Dog poo is unpleasant, unsightly and smelly, as well as unhygienic and it can spread disease. It is estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria. These bacteria can cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans. E coli, a particularly nasty bacteria and parasites like roundworm and their larvae, which can cause loss of vision, are also found in dog poo. Our children are most at risk of these diseases.
Dog littering is not a dog problem, but it is a dog owner problem, and people are asked to take poo bags every time they walk their dog in a public place. Many responsible dog owners are doing this already and know that it is the law to bag and bin their dog’s litter.
