COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor D. Looney

"That this Committee receive a report from the Chief Executive responding to the "Cherryfield Dog Walkers" position paper in order to facilitate a debate on the issues raised therein."

REPORT:

The Chief Executive was not aware of the "Cherryfield Dog Walkers" position paper prior to the submission of the Councillor's motion.

It is recognised that there are numerous registered dog owners in the general area the subject of this motion.  Our own records indicate that there are c 200 registered dogs in the general Knocklyon area and a further c 160 in the Old Bawn / Aylesbury (Old Tallaght) areas. 

The active contributions of many dogs within the community, where they work as therapy dogs, are guide dog puppies under training, working as police dogs, together with active and retired guide dogs is acknowledged and highly commended.

The requirement to walk / exercise dogs is recognised, as is the need to balance this requirement with the needs of other park users.    Accordingly, the 2011 Parks and Open Spaces Bye-laws, Section 4 - Animals, requires that all dogs be on a leash and under effective control when in a public park or open space in the county.

However, acknowledging that many dog owners wish to exercise their dogs off leash, the 2011 Bye-laws also included two exceptions to this general rule.

The Council has, to date, provided designated off-leash areas (Dog runs) in three of the Regional Parks in the county - Corkagh Park, Griffeen Valley Park and Tymon Park. These off leash areas are fenced with double entry gates and extend to approx. 5,000m2, and have proven to be very popular with dog walkers. While off leash areas can be readily accommodated in major parks, where the park extends to over 100 hectares, it is considered that an alternative approach would be better suited to small parks, which extends to about 14 hectares.

In general, the Council has not moved to designate times when dogs may be exercised off leash in public parks and open spaces as there had been no particular demand for this facility.   The difficulty which often presents when considering options for liberal off leash include:

  1. effective enforcement of Section 9 of the Control of Dogs Act which requires a person in charge of a dog to accompany it and keep it under effectual control,
  2. the potential danger to the general public and other dogs from energetic / excitable dogs,
  3. potential damage that can be caused to wildlife and in general,
  4. proliferation of dog fouling over an extended area

The Green Dog Walkers Programme is an initiative in the fight against dog litter. It is a community led, regional based programme involving South Dublin County Council, Dun Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council, Meath County Council and Wicklow County Council. The programme is a positive, friendly way to change attitudes about dog fouling.

However, in light of more recent requests, arrangements are being made to provide an off leash area in one park, on a trial basis for a period of one year, with designated times for dogs to be allowed off leash in the park.   The designated off leash times are likely to be from 8.00am to 10.00am in the morning and for one hour before park closing in the evenings. These times coincide with the times of day when many dog owners usually exercise their dogs, and should minimise potential conflicts with other park users.

Reference to a "Super Cycleway" in communications from Cherryfield Dog walkers was noted.   In clarification, plans are currently under preparation for the extension of the Dodder Greenway - part of which has already been constructed in the Old Bawn section of Dodder Park and ends at Mt. Carmel Park. This proposed extension will extend to Ringsend in Dublin City.   

There are also proposals to develop and enhance a section of the existing parkland at Mt. Carmel Park, Dodder Valley, Firhouse, by the provision of the following recreation and amenity facilities:

There may be concerns that these projects will cause a restriction to dog walkers but that is not the intention of the Council.

Given the extent of dog ownership within the county and in this area, the Council is willing to work with any group, including "Cherryfield Dog Walkers" toward the potential development / designation of suitable facilities where dogs can be exercised safely off leash.