Posted online: Jul 1st, 2009

Furious Inishowen residents are barking mad that a local beauty spot is being blighted by dog fouling. 

A number of locals contacted “Inish Times” about excessive canine faeces at the walkway along Ned’s Point, Buncrana.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, said walkers could not enjoy the area because of the level of the problem and called on the council to get tougher on inconsiderate dog owners.

“It’s supposed to be a scenic route but you’re constantly ducking and diving out of the way of all this dog crap,” the angry woman said.

“When you meet other people along the way they’re all complaining about it too, it’s disgusting. There are plenty of people who walk that way and even people with prams are getting it all stuck on the prams’ wheels.

“There’s a bin provided there but nobody seems to bother with it. I’ve only seen one man that regularly takes a bag with him to clean up after his dog.”

Buncrana’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Peter McLaughlin, who lives close to the area, said policing the problem was “difficult” and that, largely, it was a matter of relying on the public’s sense of responsibility.

“It’s very difficult; some people are responsible but there are also irresponsible dog owners,” he said. 

“The easiest thing to do is take a bag out with you when you’re walking the dog and clean up after you.

“The council have provided the bins and I would ask that people avail of them.”

Cllr McLaughlin admitted that stray dogs were also a problem but focused on asking dog owners to clean up after their pets.

His greatest concern was that no child should come in contact with dog faeces as it carries a parasitic worm called Toxacara Canis which, if it gets into the eyes, can cause blindness.

“I would ask all dog owners to act more responsibly. Think about children playing by the shore, this is very dangerous to them.”