Wexford County Council Launches Anti-Dog Fouling Educational Resource Pack in Local Schools

On Tuesday, January 20th, Councillor Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, presented the Bag It, Bin It educational anti-dog fouling resource pack to Principal Emer Russell and students at Scoil Ghormáin Naofa, Castletown. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the environmental and public health hazards of dog fouling with a particular focus on educating primary school students across Co. Wexford.

The resource pack, designed for use in primary schools, includes a range of lesson plans and activities that address the issue of dog fouling in local communities. The lessons aim to engage students in understanding the impact of dog waste on public spaces, such as footpaths, parks and trails while promoting responsible dog ownership.

Councillor Joe Sullivan emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Great work has already been done to raise awareness of dog fouling, but this education pack highlights the issue even further among our students. They are learning about the health hazards dog fouling can cause and how harmful it is to the environment. All dog owners have a civic responsibility to clean up after their dogs. If we all bag it and bin it, we can protect our communities, our wildlife and our outdoor spaces.”

The initiative also highlights the various risks posed by dog waste which contains harmful bacteria and parasites.

Cliona Connolly, the Environment Awareness Officer at Wexford County Council, pointed out the particular hazards dog fouling presents to vulnerable groups such as parents with buggies, children, wheelchair users and the visually impaired. “Stepping in dog poo or getting it on shoes, hands, or wheels can lead to serious health risks and create unnecessary inconvenience,” Connolly explained.

Cabrini Desmond, Wexford County Council’s Dog Warden, added, “While most dog owners act responsibly, those who fail to clean up after their dogs create a serious environmental and public health issue for everyone else.”

Emer Russell, Principal of Scoil Ghormáin Naofa, expressed her school’s excitement about the launch of the Bag It, Bin It initiative, stating, “We were delighted to welcome Councillor Joe Sullivan and Cabrini Desmond to our school to introduce this important initiative. The lesson plans are not only educational but also interactive and engaging, linking perfectly with the SPHE and SESE curricula. At Scoil Ghormáin Naofa, we are committed to developing responsible citizenship and this project provides an excellent opportunity for our students to learn about environmental responsibility and the importance of keeping our community clean and safe.”

The Bag It, Bin It resource pack has been sent to all primary schools in Co. Wexford, helping to foster a generation of environmentally-conscious students who will play an active role in making their local areas cleaner and safer for everyone.