Calls for dog owners in Limerick to ‘scoop the poop’ and make paths ‘safer for all’

THREE dog fouling fines were issued in Limerick last year in total.

Now, Limerick dog owners are being encouraged to clean up after their dogs as part of Vision Ireland’s campaign, Clear Our Paths. 

The call comes after Vision Ireland published a survey asking people who are blind or vision impaired about their experiences of navigating footpaths. 

Over a third of respondents were impacted by dog waste in public spaces in terms of a slipping hazard, but also, white cane users noted their canes are often dirtied by faeces. 

18 out of the 31 local authorities in Ireland issued no dog fouling fines at all in 2023.

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When comparing dog fouling fines to those of cars parked illegally on footpaths, 1253 fines were issued in Limerick in 2023. 

Kevin Kelly, head of policy, partnerships and external affairs at Vision Ireland said: “Parked cars and dog waste are two of the biggest hazards people who are blind and vision impaired in Limerick face on our footpaths. 

“The number of parking fines issued alone is astounding and gives an idea of the many thousands of obstacles people with sight loss face in their daily lives.”

Saying that “fines alone will not solve these problems”, Mr Kelly continued by saying people “must work together”.

“If everyone takes more responsibility for their actions, we can work towards making paths in Limerick safer for all,” he said.

Similarly to dog faeces, cars parked on footpaths also have an adverse impact on the ability of people who are blind or vision impaired to navigate public spaces, as 70% of survey respondents agreed.

Chantelle Smith, Vision Ireland’s national access and mobility manager, said: “When people who are blind and vision impaired encounter obstacles on footpaths, they often result in them having to take the decision to step off the footpath onto the roadway into traffic. 

“Unfortunately, this places them at significant risk as drivers may not be expecting them to do so as it is not a crossing point. Vision Ireland is calling on the public and motorists alike to be considerate of the needs of vulnerable pedestrians.”

The organisation has created a dedicated web page to assist those in learning more about how to Clear Our Paths.