Are you fed up with inconsiderate dog owners leaving dog poo in your housing estate? Have you inadvertently brought dog poo into your house and ‘’smelled that smell?’’?  Are you sick of dog poo on the footpaths and parks in our city? Well Galway City Council want to talk to you! In 2021, ‘Clean it up you dirty pup!’ - Galway City Council’s novel community engagement approach to tackling dog litter- achieved a reduction of 60% dog fouling in five trial areas throughout the city. Galway City Council is now seeking volunteers for 2023.

The initiative is aimed at irresponsible dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs.

Galway City Council want to hear from residents’ associations, tidy towns, community, and business groups. Volunteers can get involved by spraying and counting individual dog fouling’s on a weekly basis in a defined area (with environmentally friendly chalk based, yellow spray paint) and reporting back to Galway City Council.

Speaking about the initiative, Tiarnan McCusker, Environmental Awareness Officer with Galway City Council said:

“The 'Clean it up you dirty pup!' campaign is a highly visible and 'quirky' campaign that gained national prominence in 2021. It engages with community groups and volunteers who want to do something positive for their community. In 2021, one of the trial areas witnessed a 75% reduction in dog fouling in a 6-week period. It also promotes responsible dog ownership, and we look forward to working with more community groups over the coming months.”

In addition to the volunteer support, Galway City Council will stencil footpaths in the problem areas with the message 'Clean it up you dirty pup!' and erect highly visible posters.

If a resident’s association, tidy towns, community or business group would like to volunteer or seek further information, please visit www.galwaycity.ie/clean-it-up-you-dirty-pup or email environment@galwaycity.ie   Galway City Council staff would meet the volunteers and demonstrate how to safely use the chalk based spray can.

Under the Litter pollution ACT 1997, dog owners are legally obliged to clean up after their pets, if they go to the toilet in public places. Those who do not clean up after their dog are liable to receive a €150 on the spot fine or Pay €3,000 in court on prosecution for non-payment.

xxMembers of the Glenard Residents Association taking part in the Clean it up you dirty pup! dog fouling campaign in 2021.xx