COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

MOTION NO. 14

MOTION: Councillor B. Bonner

 "That the chief executive present a report on how the regulations in relation to dogs are enforced in Corkagh Park and on what options are open to park users confronted with dogs owners who refuse to abide by the rules.

There is a serious issue with dogs being walked without leads in Corkagh Park.  This is proving to be a problem for responsible dog owners who adhere to the rules. There have been several incidents of such dogs being attacked by dogs which are allowed to run free. There is also an obvious risk to other users of the park from dogs which are not kept on leads." 

REPORT:

Section 9 of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, as amended, (the Act) requires the owner or person in charge of a dog in a public place to keep the dog under effectual control.  In addition, Article 5 of the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998, as amended, (the regulations) provides that a person shall not permit a dog of the type listed in Article 5 (1) to be in a public place unless the dog is securely muzzled, led by a person over the age of sixteen years, who is capable of controlling the said dog, on a sufficiently strong chain or leash, not exceeding two meters in length. 

The Council’s 2011 Parks and Open Spaces Bye-Laws makes specific reference (Section 4) to the control of dogs when in public parks or open spaces and signage has been erected throughout the park requesting that dogs are kept on a lead.

The Dog Wardens enforce the Act and Regulations as listed above. In 2015 a total of 20 fines issued (countywide) for contravention of Section 9 of the Act and four fines (countywide) issued for contravention of Article 5 of the Regulations. To date in 2016, one fine has issued for contravention of Section 9 of the Act. 

Corkagh Park is patrolled on a daily basis by the Park Ranger Service.  Where they come across dog walkers who do not have their dog on a lead they will request that this is corrected and that the dog is leashed. To facilitate dog walkers to exercise their dogs off lead a dog run was provided in Corkagh Park for this purpose.

In the event that parks users come across dogs off the lead their avenue of recourse should be to the Park Rangers initially. In particularly problematic instances, the Park Ranger may need to request assistence from our Dog Warden Service.