New dog fouling campaign in Louth aims to keep community clean

^{Above: Cllr Kevin Callan, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Joe McGuinness, Director of Services, Louth County Council, Finbar Gethins, SEO, Louth County Council, Tidy Town representatives Mary Murtagh, Helen Byrne and Bernie Lynch, St Joseph’s National School representatives Molly Watters, Meriem Ouafi and Bernie Bradley and some of their furry friends at the launch of the new dog fouling campaign in County Hall}

Louth County Council has launched a new six-month campaign to address dog fouling and promote responsible pet ownership around the county.

The initiative, which includes new signage, media outreach and community engagement, aims to keep public spaces clean and safe. Some of the key messages of the campaign include: ‘Bag It & Bin It’, ‘Dog Fouling is Litter’, and ‘Dog Dirt Belongs in the Bin – Not on the Street.’

The campaign was officially launched at County Hall on 7 March where Cllr Kevin Callan, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, along with council officials, Tidy Town representatives, children from St Joseph’s Primary School, Dundalk and dogs gathered to discuss its impact. 

“Dog fouling is not just an unpleasant nuisance, it poses health risks and impacts the overall quality of our public spaces,” said Cllr Kevin Callan. “This campaign is about educating dog owners on their responsibilities and ensuring that our parks, streets, and walkways remain clean and welcoming for all.”

Key campaign elements include:

• Signage: Dog fouling awareness messages on 620 bins countywide, plus youth art competitions for sticker and poster designs.
• Media Outreach: A radio and social media campaign to engage the public and promote responsible pet ownership.
• Tidy Towns Partnership: Installation of dog bag dispensers, footpath stencilling, and local awareness campaigns.
• Community Engagement: Clean-up events, school outreach, and distribution of awareness materials.
• St Patrick’s Day Parade: A Dog Fouling Awareness message in collaboration with Dundalk Tidy Towns.

The public is encouraged to get involved in making a difference in their areas and are invited to attend any awareness days during the campaign. Louth County Council says that by working together, we can create a cleaner, safer environment for everyone.