No dog fouling fines in Tipp

Tipperary Co Council did not issue any fines for dog fouling last year, but 264 fines were issued for motorists parking on footpaths.

Data gathered by Vision Ireland has revealed that just 44 dog fouling fines were issued by local authorities across the country in 2025.

Dog fouling is a public safety issue and poses health concerns for both children and adults. People who are vision impaired and use mobility aids are particularly at risk. Last week, Vision Ireland’s Clear Our Paths campaign raised awareness of everyday obstacles faced on footpaths, including dog waste, and urged the public to take action.

To mark Clear Our Paths, a survey of 220 people who were blind or vision impaired explored the issue of footpath obstacles. Vision Ireland found that 99% of respondents were impacted by temporary obstacles such as dog waste. Not only does dog fouling present a slipping hazard, but it can also be a major problem for long cane users whose canes are dirtied by faeces. When folded up, this poses a hygiene and health risk.

Respondents to the survey provided insights into the effect dog fouling has on their day-to-day lives. One person said: “If dog foul gets on the ball of my cane, I am unable to see it to clean it myself. It can end up on my hands when I fold my cane.” Vision Ireland are imploring dog owners to act responsibly and consider other users of shared footpaths, including people who are blind or vision impaired.

SCOURGE

Councils are tasked with tackling the scourge of dog fouling, but overall an extremely low number of fines continue to be issued to people for not cleaning up after their dogs. The latest figures record 44 fines in 2025, compared with 48 fines in 2024. Kerry saw the highest number with 12 fines, while 17 local authorities recorded zero fines for dog fouling. This is an increase on the 14 local authorities that did not issue any fines in 2024.

Vision Ireland’s campaign came shortly after an increased fine for dog fouling came into effect on September 1. The on-the-spot fine for owners is now €250. However, 77% of survey respondents said that they believe this increase will not make a difference to the dog fouling they experience each day.

Cars parked on footpaths also pose serious hazards and affect the ability of people who are vision impaired to navigate public spaces. 69% of survey respondents said that parked cars are the most common obstacle which blocks their route when using a path. Furthermore, 65% of people identified parked cars as the obstacle that causes them the greatest difficulty when navigating footpaths.

Vision Ireland says there is a considerable safety risk when a parked car requires someone to step off the footpath and onto the roadway, into live traffic.

Survey respondents gave detail on the level of impact parked cars can have. One person explained: “Since the footpath is usually narrow, I have to side step past a car. I am forced to step down on to the road, which I don’t feel safe doing.”

Another respondent said: “Parked cars force pedestrians onto the road. As a visually impaired person, this causes a lot of anxiety.”

Data provided by local authorities to Vision Ireland recorded 21,232 fines issued to motorists in 2025 for parking on footpaths. While Dublin city issued 4,833 fines for illegal parking, Leitrim and Roscommon recorded zero fines. As part of Clear Our Paths, Vision Ireland is encouraging motorists to think twice the next time they consider leaving their car on a footpath, and reflect on the potential impact on people who are blind or vision impaired.

Vision Ireland’s #ClearOurPaths campaign is running across social media until the end of October, highlighting the experiences of people who are blind or vision impaired and the everyday obstacles they face on footpaths. The charity is encouraging others to join in by sharing on their social media, and promoting awareness of the impact obstacles have and the actions which the public can take.