Reply - M28 Dog Run

COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTOWN/FONTHILL AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

MOTION NO. 28

MOTION: Councillor M. Johansson

That the Chief Executive examine the possibility of a dog run in Collinstown Park, and to send a dog warden to the park. There has been a an increase in the number of people walking their dogs off the lead in the park and not picking up dog poo.

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council currently employs two full time Dog Wardens within the administrative area. The Dog Warden's role is the enforcement of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 as amended. This includes:

responding to complaints relating to dogs not under effectual control and/or dangerous dogs
carrying out of licence checks and the initiation of enforcement proceedings where possible
seizure and collection of unwanted/stray dogs and removal to the Dog Pound.

The Dog Wardens can be contacted on 01 414 9000.

The Bye-Laws for Parks and Open Spaces 2011 came into force on the 1^st August 2011 and are for the use, operation, protection, regulation and management of Parks and Open Spaces owned, controlled and managed by, or in the charge of South Dublin County Council. Section 4 of the Bye-Laws deals specifically with the control of dogs.

Park Rangers as employees of the Council are authorised to enforce the South Dublin County Council Bye-Laws. In the event that a member or members of the public fail to co-operate with an instruction or direction of a Park Ranger, the next step, depending on the severity of the breach of the Bye-Laws is to seek the assistance of An Garda Siochána to enforce the Bye-Law. Park Rangers are empowered to direct the public to comply with the Bye-Laws and a frequent activity in this regard is to request members of the public to put dogs on a leash. Collinstown Park is included in the list of locations that the Parks Rangers visit.

While there is no provision in the 2020 Budget for the provision of a dog run in Collinstown Park the proposal will be listed for consideration in the draft Public Realm Improvement Works Programme 2021.