‘Dogs only’ area pilot scheme in Dublin park

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DUBLIN City Council has designated part of a public park a ‘dogs only’ area where owners can let pets off their leads to exercise, explore or socialise.
But the breeds deemed by the authority to be ‘dangerous’ will not allowed to go there.
These are the Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Akita, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Dobermann, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Bullmastiff, Japanese Tosa and the pit bull, which must be muzzled and on a lead at all times.
The initiative was put forward by council officials – ironically, the same officials who came under fire from dog owners earlier this year for threatening to ban so-called dangerous dogs from council estates and properties – and endorsed by members. At present, in other public parks across the city and on beaches, all dogs must be kept on leads.
Wardens are empowered to impose on-the-spot fines on owners who can opt to argue their case in court where penalties for failing to keep a pet under control can be as high as 1,900 euros. The pilot scheme has been introduced in a small area of St Anne’s Park, on the north side of the city, and a decision is to be taken early next year on whether it should be made permanent and extended to other Dublin parks.
“It’s been a success and very well received,” said a council spokesman. “But we have not yet decided to adopt it as a policy.”

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The Dublin initiative is already being copied in nearby Dun Laoghaire, where council officials are planning to open a one-acre dogs only area in Marlay Park, Rathfarnham. It will be a pilot scheme too, and the views of the local community will be canvassed to see if it should be made permanent.
In counties Clare and Sligo, councils have voted to ban all dogs from beaches during the summer, despite pleas from the ISPCA to exempt certain sections from the blanket restriction and warnings that such a ban would discourage tourists.