AN ASSOCIATION representing Southside swimmers is
urging Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council not to reverse existing bye laws
that restrict dogs from roaming free on beaches and in public parks.
The Dogs Unleashed campaign is opposing current
proposals by the council to ban dogs from some beaches altogether while
prohibiting dogs that are not on leashes from others.
However, in a submission to the council recently, the
chairperson of the Seapoint Swimming Association, Cormac Brady, urged the local
authority not to give dog owners in the area what he described as any
“further
concessions
? on the matter.
The well-organised Dogs Unleashed campaign group has
succeeded in recruiting some high profile locals to its ranks.
The existing bye laws stipulate that dogs must be kept
on a leash at all times on all beaches and in public parks except Killiney Hill
and at enclosed
‘dog pens’ in Marlay Park, Shanganagh Park, Deerpark and
Cabinteely Park.
Dogs are also completely banned from all beaches
during the summer months from June to September from the hours of 10am to 7pm.
Outside of these times they must be kept on a leash.
The council is currently amending the existing bye
laws for parks and beaches and is seeking submissions from the public and other
interest groups on the matter.
Members of the Dogs Unleashed campaign are concerned
that the local authority is planning to extend the ban to Killiney Hill, where
dogs are currently allowed to roam off lead.
In his submission Mr Brady said the responsibility of
the council was primarily to protect the people.
“It is not right that a group of well connected people
who have launched a highly organised campaign over the past few years should
prevail over what is in the best interests of the community,
? he stated.
“The council faces a choice between appeasement of
this minority group or acting for the greater good of the public as a whole.
?
The submission went on to note that Seapoint and
Sandycove are the only beaches designated as swimming areas by the Department
of the Environment in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. It also suggested that dogs
should be entirely restricted to other, less busy beaches.
“Dogs should not be allowed use these areas
?, Mr Brady
added.
“Considerable concessions have already been made to the Dogs Unleashed
group. Our swimmers want their special, designated areas to remain so without
dogs.
“There are other beaches more suitable for dogs in Dun
Laoghaire Rathdown including Blackrock, Booterstown and Sandymount beaches.
?
In addition, Mr Brady claimed that the council had
recorded 42 dog attacks in the county last year.
“Many people, particularly those in swimming togs, are
frightened of dogs barking on the water’s edge or in the sea beside them,
? he
added.
Liz Nelligan, a spokesperson for the Dogs Unleashed
campaign, said their campaign was about asserting their right to voice an
opinion and heighten the level of awareness around the debate.
She also claimed that the council records show that
only one of the 42 dog attacks cited by Mr Brady in his submission occurred on
a beach.