Some might call it an a-paw-ling development.

Not one fine has been issued for dog fouling in Dublin this year, according to information released to a Dublin City councillor. Councillor Colm O’Rourke, a Dublin City Councillor for the Cabra-Glasnevin Ward, has revealed that zero fines were issued for dog fouling in 2019, with the number of penalties issued having been on a steady decline since 2016, when 78 fines were issued. 22 fines for dog fouling were issued in 2017, while there were only four last year and there have been none at all in the first 10 months of this year. In an official statement to Councillor O’Rourke, Dublin City Council noted that “whilst no fines have been issued this year for dog fouling, Dublin City Council are in the process of organising an anti-dog fouling awareness campaign”. Cllr. Colm O’Rourke said: “Dog dirt is an issue right across the city and residents are regularly in contact with me about it. There are times when pavements turn in to an obstacle course due to some dog owners not cleaning up after their dog. “There is definitely more to be done in terms of education and any campaign to try and tackle this issue would be most welcome. Responsibility goes hand in hand with owning a dog and I urge dog owners to show pride in our city and to scoop the poop.” Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 makes it an offence for the person in charge of a dog not to clean up when their dog fouls in a public place. Failure to clean up your dog’s waste can lead to a €150 on-the-spot fine or on summary conviction to a fine of up to €4,000. More information is available here.