Council is in the doghouse over lead rule

FINGAL County Council has defended its decision to force dog owners to keep their pets on a lead in Ardgillan Demesne at all times, pending the outcome of Parks Bye-Laws currently under review.

Last month, park wardens informed a local woman that a ban on off-lead dogs in the park had been implemented.

Incensed by the ban, the park user set up an online petition requesting that the council set aside some of the park’s 200 plus acres where dogs can be allowed off-lead.

In an email sent to the council, the park user said: “Given that a vast majority of your daily, year-round visitors are dog walkers – especially in the meadows that run parallel to the main park – this seems like an incredibly stupid and shortsighted declaration. 

“There is more than enough land to accommodate everyone comfortably and safely. I have walked my dog off-lead on an almost daily basis for the last two years without incident. 

“I restrict her off-lead activity to the meadows, walking her on leash as required on the shared paths – as well as in proximity to the playground – this being merely sound common sense.”

The park user, who is calling on the council to reach a compromise, said the blanket ban will have a “terribly detrimental effect” on visitors to the park. 

“This would be an awful shame because, as a local person, I visit almost every day to run my dog in the meadows,” she said.  

“I have always found the demesne to be beautifully, sensibly and fairly managed, but this new rule will now mean – much to my regret – that I will have scant reason to set foot in the place again. I think you will find a lot of dog walkers will have the same response. 

“I hope that sense will prevail and a provision will be made to accommodate off leash activity.”  

A spokesman for Fingal County Council told Northside People: “Until the Parks Bye-Laws, which are currently under review, are approved, a decision has been made that all dogs visiting Ardgillan must be kept on a lead at all times.  

“This approach is deemed to be the fairest method to cater for all park users and we welcome any input into how we can cater better for all park users as part of the current review of the Parks Bye-Laws. 

“The next stage in the review process of the Park Bye-Laws will be a public consultation process which will commence shortly.  

“This is a statutory process and commencement of the consultation period will be advertised in the local media and on Fingal County Council’s website and social media channels. 

“There will be an opportunity via the council’s Public Consultations Portal (www.consult.fingal.ie) for members of the public to make submissions or suggestions which will be considered as part of the consultation process. It is also planned to hold public consultations in some of our parks as part of the process.” 

The spokesman pointed out that the decision is intended as an interim measure pending consultation and adoption of the new Parks and Open Spaces Bye-Laws later in this year.

“Fingal County Council has had a number of queries from members of the public since the decision was made,” he said. 

“We have explained the rationale behind this decision and also advised that this is an interim measure only. 

“We need to balance the needs of all park users in the fairest and safest manner possible. It was agreed that the fairest way to control the levels of complaints is to insist that dogs must be on a lead.”

The spokesman added: “We would ask that dog owners be as tolerant and patient as possible and would like to reassure all users of Ardgillan Demesne that we are putting every effort into finalising the right arrangement for everyone.”