Dog fouling is now a serious problem in many parts of Sligo town.
This week’s meeting of the municipal district of the county council heard of complaints from a number of areas, including near schools where parents and children walk and push buggies.
Sinn Fein Councillor Chris MacManus raised the issue, specifically in relation to a pedestrian area near Maugheraboy Post Office and the entrance to a nearby estate.
Fianna Fail Cllr Seamus Kilgannon said it was also a problem in Mitchel Curley Park where some people let their dogs loose.
Independent Councillor Marie Casserly said she goes running in the area and sometimes it was like there was a baby elephant on the loose.
Fine Gael Councillor Sinead Maguire pointed out that dog foul was a health risk.
She also said she was flabbergasted to see how often dog owners ‘pretend’ to pick up after their dog.
In other cases, she says people pick it up and put it in a bag, tie it and leave it behind, for example on the Knocknarea Trail where some people leave the bags hanging on trees, as if other people will collect it.
Speaking to North West Today, Cllr Maguire says dog fouling is a more serious issue than many people think.
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