Just 18 fines for dog fouling have been issued by local authorities in the Shannonside Region over the past 5 years.
Failing to pick up after your dog can result in an on the spot fine of €150 or a €4,000 penalty if the case is successfully prosecuted in court.
A new survey conducted by the Irish Independent has shown extremely low levels of enforcement of section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act since 2018.
Of the respondents to the survey, Leitrim County Council is one of three local authorities nationwide that have not issued a dog fouling fine in 5 years, with Monaghan and Kilkenny not recording any enforcement in the same period.
Roscommon County Council has seen 6 fines given for instances where members of the public failed to clean up after their dog.
Meanwhile, Longford recorded the highest level of enforcement locally, with 12 fines given out over dog fouling since 2018.
According to experts, dog waste can cause health issues for humans, especially young children.
Cork County Council saw the highest amount of successful fines dispensed over 5 years, with 37 issued since 2018.
