Dog control consultation extended by a month

The local government authority announced this week that it will be extending the period during which feedback can be submitted from June 19 to July 14.

It follows high levels of interest in the proposals, which range from increasing the penalty for dog fouling to keeping dogs on leads in certain areas, such as promenades and cemeteries.

An earlier plan to implement dog exclusion zones in parks and playing fields has been temporarily withdrawn following criticism from pet owners.

Exclusion zones will be revisited in the coming months, the council has said.

In a statement, a spokesperson for MEAC added that it will publicly advertise the scope of the proposals contained within the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (NI) 2011.

“As well as advising that the consultation period has now been extended until 5pm on Tuesday July 14, these adverts further clarify how the council will be continuing to consult with the public in relation to its series of proposed Dog Control Orders,” the spokesperson added.

“All comments made to date remain valid and will still be considered as part of this process.”

A further proposal seeks to authorise council officers to require a dog be put on a lead, while a fourth would see dogs kept on a lead on beaches at peak times.

In Carnfunnock Country Park, it is proposed that dogs be excluded from certain zones and kept on leads in others.

Further information sessions have been scheduled for July 1 in Larne’s Smiley Buildings (9.30am – 12.30pm) and Carrickfergus Civic Centre (4-8pm).

Speaking at one of the sessions in Carrick last week, a number of attendees indicated that they had “no problem” with the remaining proposals.

A local woman said: “I agree that dogs should be on a lead at all times when they’re around traffic. At the end of the day you never know what a dog is going to do; it could run out in front of a car.”

Referring to the withdrawn order on parks and playing fields, she added: “The only thing that concerned me was Shaftesbury Park; that’s where we usually exercise our dog as she doesn’t like traffic, but we always clean up after her.

“It’s usually the ones who go out really early in the morning or very late at night who are letting their dogs foul on the pavements.”

Another resident added: “I can understand not letting dogs into children’s play areas; the last thing anyone wants is their child walk through dog muck.”

Meanwhile, environmental wardens will be carrying out evening and weekend patrols this weekend, said MEA director of Operations Philip Thompson.

“The initial focus will be on the Carrick area to get an idea of hotspots,” he added.