Brady welcomes the installation of Dog Litter Bins in the Ballywaltrim Recreation Park

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has welcomed the installation of a
number of dog litter bins in the 23 acre Ballywaltrim Recreation Park
in Bray. Users of the park have been campaigning for Bray Town Council
to tackle the serious problem of dog litter in the area. The issue has
in the past resulted in a child being hospitilsed and football matches
being abandoned, it has become a public safety issue.

Cllr Brady said "I welcome the installation of the dog litter bins in
the Ballywaltrim Recreation Park, signs are due to be erected in the
coming days. The bins were installed recently and have received a
broad welcome from users of the park. The park is widely used by
Gaelic teams, soccer teams, walkers and joggers. However the issue of
irresponsible dog owners not picking up dog waste has become a very
serious problem which poses a serious threat to all users".

Brady continued "The council has come under a lot of pressure from the
Ballywaltrim Users Group and many of the sporting clubs that use the
park, who had been calling on them to address the problem. Dog feces
poses a serious health risk which may contain parvovirus, whipworms,
hookworms, roundworms, threadworms, campylobacteriosis, giardia, and
coccidia. If left unattended, these parasites will contaminate the
water, soil, and can even cause infection in both pets and humans,
especially children. The microscopic Hookworm larvae can be passed to
another pet or person directly through the skin or by accidental
ingestion as can other bacteria. There is also the threat of being
infected by toxoplasmosis which can result in blindness".

Cllr Brady concluded "Whilst I welcome the action Bray Town Council is
taking to tackle the problem in the Ballywaltrim area of the town. The
problem is a much bigger one which affects many other areas.
Installing bins for dog owners to dispose waste in is part of the
solution; however education is another key thing that needs to happen.
Unfortunately there are many irresponsible dog owners who must be
educated so that they are made aware of the risks they are putting
other members of the community under". Ends