Galway City Council has launched its ‘Love Your Dog, Love Your City’ campaign - a community-driven initiative promoting responsible dog ownership through education and shared action.
Dog owners across Galway are being reminded of their vital role in keeping public spaces clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. The core message of the campaign is that we all love our dogs and know how good they are for our mental health and getting us out in the great outdoors - but our canine friends need to be looked after, so our city environment is cared for too.
As part of the campaign, dog owners are invited to take simple actions, such as picking up after their dog, and bringing the waste to a nearby bin, or home if there is no bin.
Galway City Council will be launching an animated video series on social media, sharing key tips and raising awareness around dog ownership, with a positive tone that celebrates the bond between people and pets. It also continues to collaborate with MADRA on funding responsible dog ownership workshops in local primary schools.
Deputy-Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Alan Cheevers commented, “This campaign is a fantastic reminder that loving your dog also means loving your city. Every dog owner has a role to play in keeping Galway clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. As the saying goes, “It’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours” when your dog misbehaves. By cleaning up after our pets, we protect public health, support biodiversity, and show respect for our neighbours and shared spaces.”
Over the summer, people will see Galway City Dog Wardens patrolling the beaches of Ballyloughane, Grattan, Salthill and Silverstrand – where dogs are not allowed from 9am to 8pm from 15 May to 15 September, during the bathing season.
In city parks and public areas dogs should not be allowed to roam free, and under effectual control of their dogs at all times.
Fergal Cushen, Environmental Awareness Officer, Galway City Council, commented, “There are a number of bye-laws in Galway City relating to dogs, to protect our beaches and public spaces - not only for the environment, but for the sake of our own health. Dog waste contains billions of faecal coliform bacteria - significantly more than other animals - posing serious health risks to children, adults, and local wildlife, as well as soiling shoes and wheels of buggies and wheelchairs. Loose dogs in public spaces can also be very stressful for people who aren’t familiar or comfortable with dogs. We all love a walk on the beach – with the sand between our toes or paws, but the bye-laws are in place to protect both nature and the public. Dog fouling can even result in a ‘do not swim’ notice and potentially affect the Blue Flag status, by contaminating the water when the tide picks up waste on the beach”
A recent EU study by UCD focusing on faecal pollution in Dublin Bay calculated that one dog poo has the potential to fail an area of water (0.5 deep) approximately the size of a tennis court (Acclimatize 2017-2023). By cleaning up after our dogs, we safeguard public health and keep our parks, paths, beaches and neighbourhoods clean
As part of the ‘Love Your Dog, Love Your City’ campaign, earlier this year, Galway City Council partnered with MADRA, funding over 60 responsible dog ownership workshops in primary schools across the city - an incredible uptake reflecting enthusiasm for information about caring for dogs in Galway City. Students learnt about micro chipping, dog fouling, off-lead dogs, and how to communicate and understand dog behaviours.
Volunteers across the city will be re-stocking ‘poo bag’ dispensers in busy areas, and spreading the ‘Love Your Dog, Love Your City’ message on doggie hi-vis jackets highlighting the campaign. Keep an eye on our social media accounts for a chance to win high-vis doggy vests to keep your dog bright and dry on their daily walks!
Galway City Council encourages everyone to get involved, spread the message, and take pride in the small actions that make a big difference.
For more information, see Galway City Council ( on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok) and https://www.GalwayCity.ie/Services/Environment/Environment-Services/Control-of-Dogs