'Greater deterrents' needed for dog owners

Greater deterrents need to be put in place to ensure that the owners of “proscribed dogs” such as pit bulls and Rottweilers keep their animals under control in public, according to Cllr Aidan Davitt.

Owners of certain breeds of dogs, such as the Rottweiler, are obliged to keep their animals on a short lead when out in public.

However, speaking at the February meeting of Mullingar Municipal District, Cllr Aidan Davitt said that he has received a number of complaints from members of the public about dog owners “who are not handling their animals the way they should be handled”.

“It’s a very serious issue. I think that the department of environment should think about increasing the fines to owners who put members of the public at risk.”

Cllr Mick Dollard agreed with Cllr Davitt’s request and said that the council should act as a leader on the issue. “Often they (the dog owners) have no respect for people,” he said.