Pre-schoolers become superheroes to tackle dog poo problem

Adorable four-year olds have become superheroes and taken the lead to tackling the growing problem of dog poo.

The determined pre-schoolers go on patrol once a week in order to highlight the problem that is dogging the footpaths of Dunboyne.

Their Paw Poo Patrol - so called after the popular children's cartoon - has grown momentum and a nearby pre-school in Ratoath has also joined in the initiative.

Owner of the ABC Club playschool Mag Coogan and staff helped with the campaign after four-year old Aine Mulvey got upset on her walk home from school when she stepped in dog litter after her baby brother's pram ran over it

"She was going home from school with her mum a few weeks ago when the pram went through some dog poo and she also stepped in some

"She decided that children should teach the adults who should be cleaning up their dog's poo as part of taking care of their pet.

"Her mum told us about this and we talked with the kids who came up with the ideal of a Paw Poo Patrol

"So we drew some badges, featuring the cartoon logo and printed posters for local shops urging dog owners to be mindful of the three Ps - Paws, Pick Up, Please.
"We gave protective gloves to over 20 children and we went on Paw Poo Patrol on the footpaths.  The children at the front shout 'poo alert if they see any to warn the others not to stand in it.

"Each dog poo we found was highlighted by the children spraying illuminous hair paint on it.

"The children also give out a present containing two poo bags and their three 'Ps' sign to anyone they meet out walking their dog."

Mags, who has been running the school for 22 years, says the public reaction has been incredible.

"The response has been phenomenal.  What has gobsmacked me is that there have been no trolls on social media - just positive feedback.

"But what shocked me was that in the space of a couple of hundred yards, we came across almost two dozen dog poos on one footpath alone.  

"Each day now, we literally come across dozens of dog poos.  It's absolutely horrendous to see the amount.

"We've had kids in wheelchairs at our school over the years and it's desperate to think that if a child gets dog poo on their hands from wheeling their chair and rubs their eyes, it could be very serious."

The initiative is also rubbing off on the children who are becoming more mindful of the litter.

"After reading Little Red Riding Hood to a child, I asked her what her mum would say if she went off the beaten path (into the woods) and she replied, 'mind the dog poo!'

“I have to say a thank you to all the dog walkers that we have met so far who have been very kind and respectful to the children.
"The plan is to continue patrolling the streets of Dunboyne, we have been asked to go into various estates by local residents and we will try and cover as many areas as possible but we have to be mindful of the children's little legs which get tired

"We at the ABC Club love how the community has rowed in behind Aine and the children and it demonstrates how these four year olds are competent and capable active citizens in their communities."

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