By Chris Ashmore
A comprehensive countywide campaign to increase awareness of responsible dog ownership – and also to clampdown on dog fouling – is on the way, it has emerged.
The news was confirmed at the January meeting of Donegal County Council following a motion from Councillor Brian Carr who had declared that not a week goes by without some complaints in some town or village about the problem of dog fouling.
“This has been highlighted many times, but nothing has changed, “ he said, maintaining that it is “a growing issue around the county” at a time when there are more people using walks, greenways, tracks, cyclepaths, parks and beaches.
“Dog fouling is widespread and too many dog owners just do not care,” he claimed.
He also claimed that there has only been one prosecution in the last four years.
In light of the news that the number of dog wardens in the county is to be increased from two to three, he tabled a motion calling for “a public awareness and media campaign, improved signage in communities, the provision of dog waste bags and dispensers, and an increased visible dog warden presence”.
Meanwhile, he also called for “a strengthened enforcement approach, including prosecutions for dog fouling, dogs running loose, and failure to remove and properly dispose of dog waste.”
Furthermore, he requested that councillors be given commitments about regular dog warden patrols and for the provision of a direct contact point for issues that arise.
Cllr Carr reported that there have been particular problems with dog fouling outside a Glenties school, with children walking into the school with dog excrement on their shoes.
And he highlighted one incident where a child had fallen on grass and their clothing had to be changed due to contamination.
In another incident that he had become aware of, full dog poop bags had been dropped into a box where toys are kept by Dooey beach.
“Now is the time to act,” he said, requesting that there be a “strong campaign on social media and in the local press”. He also advocated more enforcement, stating that it is the “only effective deterrent”.
His motion was seconded by Cllr Michael McClafferty, who pointed out that you can catch a disease from dog waste (toxocariasis) and it can, in some cases, lead to blindness.
“Some owners’ dogs are running riot,” he maintained, adding: “We need to get tough here.
We have to get the three dog wardens out on the ground.”
A former Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Michaela Boyle, had lost her sight in one eye when she was five, shortly after picking up dog mess. Pointing this out, her Sinn Féin party colleague, Killygordon-based Cllr Gary Doherty, said that she had been very active in highlighting the issue in the North.
In a written response to Cllr Carr, Michael McGarvey, Director of Environment and Climate, Property Management and Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme, began by outlining the background to the dog warden service, and recent changes.
In July 2025, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) informed Donegal County Council (DCC) of its decision to withdraw from providing the Donegal Dog Warden Service from 2026 having run it for over 25 years.
In response, the Council engaged extensively with the ISPCA to ensure a smooth transition of the service before the end of 2025.
To maintain continuity, the Council initiated a tender process for the provision of the Dog Warden Service, including the operation of the Dog Shelter (Pound) at Glencar, Letterkenny. Midland Animal Care Ltd was awarded the contract in December 2025 for the continued operation of the Dog Warden Service in Donegal, as well as the ongoing management of the Glencar Dog Shelter.
Mr McGarvey confirmed that as part of the contract a third dog warden is being appointed and there will be a “comprehensive countywide campaign to increase awareness of responsible dog ownership and care”.
He also revealed that there will be 12 zones around the county and there will be a renewed emphasis on the ease and importance of proper waste disposal.
On a positive note, he reported that some years ago hundreds of dogs were being put down in Donegal but nowadays many of them are being rehomed after they go to the dog shelter.
In relation to a query from Cllr Michéal Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig about the outsourcing of the service, Mr McGarvey stated that a model was now in place and assured councillors that they would be updated at their next Strategic Policy Committee.
In conclusion, Cllr Carr expressed the hope that this is “now a real opportunity” to enforce the rules.
