Park for dogs moves a step closer as council identifies site

 

A three-acre plot of land has been earmarked by Westmeath County Council as a possible location for the dog park it is proposing to provide in Mullingar.

The land lies on the south side of the Royal Canal, between the canal and the old Mullingar to Athlone Rail Line – more or less opposite The Moorings housing estate on the Ballymahon Road.
County veterinary officer Seán Ó Laoide told members of the Mullingar Municipal District that the land is owned by Westmeath County Council and enjoys the advantage of having linkages to the Royal Canal Greenway and the Old Rail Trail Greenway.
It is also close to the Old Rail Trail car park, and large enough to be sub-divided into areas for different-sized breeds.
Mr Ó Laoide revealed that while some people complain when they see dogs out without a leash, use of a lead is not in fact a legal requirement: it is just required that the owner have “effective control” of the dog.
“Effective control could mean that if you call the dog, he’ll sit,” he stated, before explaining that, however, by-laws can be introduced requiring use of a leash in specified areas.
He said his view was that whatever strategy is selected should be underpinned by by-laws, such as the manner in which dogs are controlled, and on the manner in which faeces are collected.
“A decision would have to be made on restricted breeds, on whether you’d have them there or not,” he continued.
Mr Ó Laoide said that the issue would probably best be decided at Special Policy Committee (SPC) level.
Council director of services, Martin Murray, said that it might ultimately be decided at SPC level that a dedicated dog area was not needed, and that by-laws regulating dog walking in other public areas might instead be introduced.
MMDC chairman, Cllr Andrew Duncan, remarked that the site suggested would make “an awful lot of sense” and he said he was of the view that the area in question would be suitable for the creation of a linear park for the western end of Mullingar, with a pedestrian bridge linking the two sides of the canal together.
Support for the concept came also from Cllr Ken Glynn, who said he agreed some by-laws would be necessary.
Cllr Mick Dollard admitted that he would prefer to see “a bit of housing” on the site identified by Mr Ó Laoide, although generally he favoured provision of such a facility if it were policed properly.
Cllr Sorca Clarke stated that she knew the St Ann’s Park dog facility and it was run well and people were very respectful of it.
However, like Cllr Dollard, she wondered if there were other sites they could look at.
Responding, Martin Murray pointed out that an advantage to the site in question was its location, adjoining the two principal areas where dogs are walked.
“Of course if it’s deemed that it’s appropriate that there be a designated site, we can look at other sites,” he stated, adding that there would also be public consultation.

Other counties

“I suppose the approach of local authorities around the country has been to get either a dedicated doggie park, where it is dogs-only, or to use a park used by everyone, at specified times, so people who are nervous of dogs can stay out of it,” Mr Ó Laoide said.
There are already dog parks in a number of other centres, he said, citing Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, which has a dedicated dog zone with an off-lead area; St Anne’s Park in Raheny, where dogs are allowed off leads up to 11am daily and for the last hour before closing.
This park also has a dedicated one-acre dog park containing woodland, hills and undergrowth, where they can roam without leads.
Mr Ó Laoide said that the 200-acre Griffeen Valley Park in Lucan has had a ‘dog run’ since 2012; dogs are allowed off leash in a special area at Cabinteely Park; they can roam freely in the Killiney Hill Park and there is also an off-leash area at Marlay Park demesne, with a restriction of two dogs per person, and a requirement that the dogs be accompanied by a person of 16 years or older.
Cork City’s rules are that all dogs on open spaces, including parks and cemeteries, must be on a leash, while Louth’s by-laws stipulate that dogs must be kept on a leash and under proper control at all times.