Vol. 463 No. 4
25 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the growing problem of dog excrement on pavements and in other public areas: the measures, if any, he will take to require local authorities to provide facilities as well as an educational programme to alert dog owners to their responsibilities regarding their dogs in view of the health risks involved. [6649/96]
The Control of Dogs Act, 1986 places statutory responsibility for dog control on the county councils and county borough corporations who are empowered under the legislation to make by-laws to regulate various aspects of dog control, including fouling of public places. It is for each authority to decide, in the circumstances of their area, whether to make by-laws or whether to provide facilities in public places — as some authorities have done — for disposing of dog excrement. The question of health risks arising from dogs and other domestic pets is one for the Minister for Health.
