Dog fouling ‘gone crazy’ in Laois towns and villages

Dog fouling in Borris-in-Ossory and Graiguecullen has been highlighted

Published 29th Sep 2026, 18:30 BST Last month's launch of the Laois County Council Anti Dog Fouling Campaign. From left: Michael Rainey, Chief Executive of Laois County Council with Wesley the dog, dog warden Tristan Blundell, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, dog warden Serena Flanagan with Penny the dog, and Evelyn Brownrigg from the Environment Section of Laois County Council. Photo: Alf Harvey. Dog fouling in Borris-in-Ossory and Graiguecullen has been highlighted Dog fouling in Laois towns has “gone crazy” recently, according to a number of local councillors.

Two local councillors raised the issue of dog fouling in some Laois towns and villages, particularly in Borris-in-Ossory and Graiguecullen.

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Speaking at the Laois County Council meeting on Monday, September 28, Cllr Conor Bergin highlighted the issues with dog fouling on walking tracks in Borris-in-Ossory.

“It might seem like a small issue but it’s actually a big issue. All it takes is a handful of non-compliant people to ruin it for everyone. I would like to see more prosecutions for this and more fines for people because there are a small number of people ruining these amenities for everyone. They’re creating an environmental health risk as well,” the Borris-in-Ossory Councillor said.

If people fail to clean up after their dogs then they could be issued with an on-the-spot fine of €250 or on summary conviction to a fine of up to €3,000 under the Litter Pollution Act 1997. The on-the-spot fine was increased from €150 on September 1.

Cllr Ben Brennan agreed with the points and noted that “dog fouling has gone crazy” in Graiguecullen and small villages in the county. He argued that more bins are needed to deal with the issue.

“People are picking up dirt on the wheels of their pram and bringing it back home,” the Independent Councillor said.

Funding sought in Laois for dog waste infrastructure Director of Services at Laois County Council, Pat Delaney, acknowledged the concerns and said that “people’s behaviour is the issue.” He noted that Laois County Council provides dog fouling bags with the aim of more people cleaning up after their dogs.

Launching their county-wide Anti Dog Fouling Campaign last month, Laois County Council described dog fouling as an “ongoing and escalating problem” in Laois.

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment Alan Dillon recently said funding of up to €250,000 is being made available by the Department in 2026 to support the provision of dog waste infrastructure by local authorities.

Eligible projects include the purchase and installation of dog waste bins, dog waste bag dispensers and associated infrastructure. Funding for additional signage can also be considered.

The funding requested by Laois for such infrastructure is a fraction of that sought by neighbouring counties.

Laois County Council sought €3,604, while neighbouring Offaly County Council sought funding of €12,500.