BYCATRIONA GALLEN
DOG owners visiting a number of blue flag beaches around the county will be given a free 'poop a scoop' from the Donegal County Council in a drive to clean up the shore.
The pilot scheme is being introduced ahead of calls for bye laws to be introduced by Donegal County Council banning dogs from beaches and walkways next year.
Problems arising from dog fouling have been highlighted by An Taisce at a number of beaches throughout the county. In a new pilot scheme to be launched over the next few weeks at seven blue flag beaches, dog owners will be given free 'poop a scoops' to clean up the dog mess.
Beaches targeted in the scheme are: Fintra, Murvagh, Narin, Rossnowlagh, Lisfannon, Kilhoey and Marble Hill.
Donegal County Council Waste Awareness Officer, Suzanne Tinney said staff would be on site over the next few weeks to distribute the biodegradable scooper. The scooper resembles a brown paper bag with a scoop mechanism which can be easily deposited in litter bins.
"Dog mess is a problem which has been highlighted by An Taisce during assessment for the Blue Flag. We will be distributing free 'poop-a-scoops' for dog owners during the busiest season. Receptacles containing the scoops will also be located at each of the beaches.
"Our aim is to clean up the shore line and encourage beach users to get into the habit of taking their litter home. This includes dog mess. We will be giving out free scoopers and will plan to keep receptacles containing scoopers well stocked at each location. The scheme will run until the end of September when the busy summer season has subsided," said Ms Tinney.
The beaches are also maintained in local areas from spring to summer through the hard work of Tidy Town committees and local communities.
"There has been no reports of a litter problem at the beaches across the county this year. Council staff have been deployed to tidy the beaches and are emptying the litter bins on a regular basis," explained Ms Tinney.
Moville based Cllr Marian McDonald has requested the introduction of a Bye Law preventing dogs from fouling on beaches and walkways which is being given consideration by the Council's Environmental services and could be introduced next year.
Executive Engineer for Water, Environment and Emergency Services, Mr Peadar MacRory said a cross services committee of Divisional Managers had been convened to consider the introduction of regulatory Bye-laws on a county wide basis. "Introduction of bye laws will involve extensive public consultation in advance of final drafting and there is likely o be significant financial and human resource implications. Such resources will be considered during the Budget 2008 process."
