COUNCIL MUST STAND FIRM ON CONTROLLING DOGS - HUMPHREYS

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Monday, 29 August 2011

COUNCIL MUST STAND FIRM ON CONTROLLING DOGS - HUMPHREYS  

Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has urged Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to stand firm on ensuring proper controls on dogs in public parks and beaches.

“A highly aggressive campaign has been launched by a loud-mouthed minority of dog owners seeking to dismantle the bye-laws to control dogs in parks and beaches.  I am totally opposed to this campaign which poses severe risks to families, children and vulnerable citizens.” Humphreys said.

“In crowded areas such as beaches and parks, unleashed dogs can pose a real threat particularly to children.  Responsible dog owners will recognise the need to have dogs on a leash when near children but unfortunately a vocal minority seem to be anxious to put the interests of dogs over those of citizens of the county.”

“In addition, dogs transmit disease, most notably Toxocariasis, which is a serious threat to children especially between the ages of two to four years. However cases have been reported in all age groups. Young children are particularly at risk because they like to play with soil or sand. In fact some children have a habit of eating soil.  This makes it all the more important that dogs are kept under firm control and are leashed in public parks and beaches.”  Humphreys said.

“Unleashed dogs on beaches can also pose a danger to swimmers when dogs enter the sea and attempt to play by scratching with their paws causing panic to the swimmer. This is particularly the case with children who are just starting to swim but also with inexperienced swimmers or those with disability.  There have also been situations where swimmers have been unable to emerge from the water due to dogs barking at the water’s edge preventing them from doing so.”

“The existing Parks and Beach Bye Laws were introduced to ensure that people using the public parks and public beaches could do so in relative comfort and safety.  With this in mind, the Bye Laws quite rightly provide controls or prohibit certain activities which may cause nuisance or interfere with the enjoyment or use of public beaches. This includes the important provision that dogs be leashed.  Specific fenced-off areas are provided in certain parks to allow dogs off the leash and I have no objection to a modest increase in such areas, provided they are clearly physically separated from areas used by families and children.”  Humphreys said.

“The Council is receiving a high number of complaints from beach users claiming nuisance, interference, intimidation and attack on some occasions by dogs which are not under control.  It is essential that the Council tackle this problem and stand firm on the need for control and leashing of dogs.” Humphreys said.  “There is now a proposal for a specific and limited dogs off-leash area on Killiney beach.  I am quite sceptical about whether this can work effectively and I would urge the Council to approach the matter with great caution and with the interests of families first and foremost, ahead of a vocal and highly aggressive lobby led by a small minority of dog owners.”  Humphreys said.

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