Dog causing nuisance ‘was a source of fun’ for the owner, Kildare Cllr claims

A dog without a leash who was causing a public nuisance in a park was 'a source of fun' for its owner, a Kildare county councillor has claimed.

The comments were made by Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which was held on Wednesday, May 15 last.

Prior to his comments, Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) 'to implement bye-laws in the Linear Park, Newbridge, and all public parks in Newbridge, that all dogs have to be on a leash at all times.'

Her motion was seconded by her party colleague, Tracey O'Dwyer.

Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer also received support from Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender.

Cllr Pender, who attended the meeting by virtual means, said that he is aware of a number of serious incidents involving dogs without a leash in the Liffey Linear Park.

The motion was proposed by Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer (PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED) and the comments were made by Cllr Noel Connolly (PHOTOGRAPH BY MARTIN CONNELLY).

In response to her motion, KCC told Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer via its report at the meeting: "The Control of Dogs Act outlines requirements for owners to have their dogs under effectual control and for certain breeds to be muzzled and leashed.

"These legal requirements, in addition to the signage we have in place in parks and playgrounds, are sufficient and the addition of bye laws will not strengthen our ability to get dog owners to comply with their requirements."

KCC continued: "The practicalities and our ability to apply bye-laws also has to be considered and requires additional resources; these are not available to do this."

"Therefore, it is not proposed to implement any bye-laws in relation to dog control," KCC concluded.

Commenting on the matter, Cllr Heavey said that he personally witnessed one instance in which he saw one dog who was off-leash 'terrorising' other dogs.

"The dog was a source of fun for the owner," he added.

Cllr Heavey also asked KCC: "Where are the dog wardens?"

Simon Wallace, who is the Acting Acting Parks and Landscaping Officer for KCC, told the members that he could speak to the local dog warden about the issue.

Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer said: "The issue here is that you can’t enforce the off-leash rule without a bye-law."

One potential solution to the matter was suggested by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer: "Would it be possible to put cameras in the park, to act as a deterrent? It is a public space and if it (the presence of cameras) is advertised, then it may act as a deterrent."

Mr Wallace said that the installation of cameras could be in breach of GDPR, but added: "I would suggest that we look into erecting signage regarding the control of dogs in the park."