Children from St Patrick's National School, Wicklow Town helped to design campaign posters.

Think before you walk away ... that's the message to dog owners from Wicklow County Council. Its Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC) is urging dog owners to be more considerate of vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and children this summer.

A poster campaign to highlight the issue and health risk dog fouling presents for many people has been launched. Posters feature designs by children from a local primary school, St Patrick’s NS in Wicklow Town.

This campaign targets known blackspots for dog fouling in major towns across County Wicklow.

Dog fouling poses a serious health risk to people with disabilities, and discourages some who rely on mobility aids from engaging with their communities.

Wheelchair or mobility scooter users may inadvertently roll through dog waste, which can then be transferred onto their hands, clothes or inside their homes. People with visual impairments may not see the waste at all, increasing the likelihood of direct contact.

Children are also at risk, as they step in it and unknowingly transfer it to their hands without their parents’ knowledge, especially in grassy areas or along popular walking paths.

Dog waste can carry harmful bacteria and parasites, such as Toxocara canis.

It can lead to infections and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Those with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk.

Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, stated

Vulnerable groups like people with disabilities and parents with children are our family, friends, and neighbours. We need to recognise the serious risk that dog fouling poses for them and take responsibility for cleaning up after our dogs.

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, added

Wicklow County Council have been adding more dog fouling bins where there is a need and will continue to carry out patrols along heavily used amenity routes where there is a history of dog fouling incidents.