Owners of dogs in Limerick are being offered free "pooper scoopers" as part of the local authority's efforts to clean up dog dirt on the city's streets.
Some 5,000 of the scoopers will be given out free of charge by Limerick City Council over the coming months.
Pet-owners are being asked to clean up after their dogs by carrying a pooper scooper at all times.
Under new legislation, owners who don't clean up their act could face on-the-spot fines of €125.
The dog dirt is scooped up using two cardboard flaps; when the flaps are turned upwards, the pooper scooper turns into a bag with handles.
The simple device is manufactured in Britain by QPS Environmental, the sole distributor of the product in Ireland.
According to the manufacturer's website, the pooper scooper is small enough to fit neatly into a handbag or trouser pocket.
City officials say dog dirt has become an increasing problem.
