All dogs should be on leads when in public spaces – Cllr
FINE Gael Cllr Mike Kennelly has said Kerry County Council’s bylaws should be changed to make it compulsory for all dogs to be on a leash in public spaces.
Cllr Kennelly raised the matter at the recent Listowel Municipal District meeting when tabling his motion in light of recent high-profile dog attacks in the wider North Kerry area.
“This is in relation to the recent dog attacks. I’m proposing that KCC review their bylaws in relation to dogs off leashes – in our MD at least – to set the standards,” he said.
“I don’t think any dog should be off their leash in any public area. With all these dog attacks, people are more reluctant to go walking in public areas. It’s come up in this chamber quite a good bit over the years. I grew up on a farm, and the one thing you never underestimate is a dog or a bull. No one knows when an attack can happen,” Cllr Kennelly said.
FG Cllr Mike Foley supported the motion, as did Sinn Féin Cllr Tom Barry, who said dogs on the loose was a ‘prevalent problem’ in many housing estates.
“There is a total lack of control by dog owners now. Not all, obviously, but certainly a higher percentage than previously,” Cllr Barry said.
However, FF Cllr Michael Leane opposed, saying it is too restrictive as some dogs are well trained and behaved. “As a dog owner, I have three dogs and I don’t have them on a lead. But I have them well trained,” he said. “I would be afraid of the XL bully dogs. But I wouldn’t be making it compulsory to have a dog on a lead if they are properly trained and you have them chipped,” Cllr Leane said.