Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon dog policy to be reviewed following horrific incident in Lurgan Park
ABC councillors were so horrified to hear that a cat had been killed by a dog at Lurgan Park - in full view of schoolchildren – that a workshop is going to be held to discuss a way forward in terms of dog policy.
The matter was mentioned by (now former) ABC Lord Mayor, Alderman Stephen Moutray at the May council meeting,
“We had an unfortunate event in Lurgan Park this morning in that a cat was attacked by a dog and killed,” he said.
“What made it worse was [the fact that] there was a class of kids from King’s Park Primary School, several of whom witnessed this horrific event.
“I don’t think this is acceptable in our urban parks. And really, I think we’re coming to the stage when we have to look at the possibility of supplying dog runs within our urban parks and other than that, people keep their dogs on a lead.
“Now, I know this is controversial. But none of us want to be coming back here in six months or a year to find out another [cat] has been killed, a child has been injured.
“So, as Lord Mayor tonight, I’m going to propose that a workshop is opened up for any members that are interested to try and discuss this across the board.”
Councillor Catherine Nelson (SF) explained that she too had given the matter a lot of thought.
“Officers may recall that about two to three months ago at Leisure Committee, I suggested this very thing,” she said.
“I too am a dog owner, but I do not go to Lurgan Park with my dog because my dog’s on the lead and so many other dogs are not, and he’s quite an anxious wee dog.
“But I do also acknowledge that some dogs require off-lead runs, and I had proposed – and have not had anything back since – that we investigate the possibility of an area in Lurgan Park where dogs can roam freely in an area that is gated, but that gives them good space to be off lead.
“I’m saddened to hear that a class of primary schoolchildren witnessed that this morning.”
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Alderman Mark Baxter (DUP) acknowledged the complexity of the issue, saying: “I think we have to be very careful. It’s a very sensitive issue.
“So, I think a workshop is probably the best way forward because responsible dog owners, we don’t want to hammer them either because there is some responsible dog owners.
“But I think, as Cllr Nelson says, that some dogs need off-lead runs. That’s fine. But as long as the dog’s under control.
“There’s lots of people walk their dogs off lead and they’re not under control.
“I used to show dogs and I have dogs, and I know quite a bit about them. It’s very hard to train a dog to recall, and I would say 90 per cent of dogs that are off lead aren’t trained to recall. So, I think a workshop probably is the best way forward, because who is to say the dog wouldn’t attack a child either.
“I think it’s a great suggestion that we do thrash this out once and for all, come up with some sort of more tightened policy. I’m happy to second your proposal, Lord Mayor.”
Councillor Paul Duffy (SF) recalled a distressing incident where a lady’s own dog was attacked by two other dogs that were out of control.
He expressed the hope that any measures to introduce dog runs would also include Portadown’s People’s Park – close to where this incident occurred – and Edenvilla Park, as well as other parks in the borough.
Councillor Peter Lavery (Alliance) felt that more should be done to promote the existing dog run at Craigavon Lakes.
He commented: “We’re all being supportive of this tonight. It is a very important issue. And It’s not just an issue in Lurgan Park, it’s right across the [borough].
“The council does have a dog run at Craigavon Lakes, which people I think can apply to use, but I don’t think that’s well known or well advertised at all, because it’s kind of hidden away in the North Lake area.
“So, I think there’s a task there about making sure the council advertise the full remit of what’s available for dog users, because I know when people have approached me about it in the past, it’s been very useful to those dog owners, so it may be useful to a lot of other dog owners as well. I look forward to having this workshop.”
Councillor Mary O’Dowd (SF) recalled a particularly traumatic incident which occurred when her daughter was a baby.
“I had my daughter in her pram. She was about six months old when a large dog bounced over and jumped on her. So, I think even around the lake it should be highlighted that dogs must be kept on leads.”
Councillor Peter Haire (DUP) explained that he had been in touch with a classroom assistant who had witnessed the horrific scene at Lurgan Park.
“I too got the phone call there from the classroom assistant who witnessed this with her class,” he said.
“There’s one of these dog runs in Dungannon Park and it’s very successful. I know there’s a development plan for Lurgan Park to include that as we go forward.”
Councillor Kyle Moutray (DUP) mentioned other parts of Northern Ireland where dog parks and dog runs are being very successful.
“I personally don’t think that this borough is actually utilising dog runs and dog parks at the minute,” he said.
“If you look across Northern Ireland, you can go to places. I think there’s one in Stormont. I think Belfast City Council have just advertised and opened one at Ormeau Park. There’s one at Antrim Castle Gardens.
“There’s so many places across this borough that would benefit from it, and I think we’ll have to have further exploration into that.”
Councillor Kate Evans (Independent) explained that she too has been stressing the need for such facilities for some time.
“I have been raising it from when I became a councillor, and it’s great to see so many people across the chamber now supporting us getting some sort of a dog park across the borough,” she said.
“They do have it up in Stormont and it’s fantastic to see. We do have a shocking amount of irresponsible dog owners within this borough, but we do also have ones who are responsible.
Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon (SDLP) recalled plans for a dog run in Darkley Forest being mooted at some stage, adding: “But what I do think we should do is also consider engaging with the dog-owning fraternity.”
Councillor Robbie Alexander (Alliance) believed the workshop could also be an opportunity to give some more thought to ways to tackle dog fouling.
He commented: “As a dog owner myself, I see [incidents] down at Kernan almost every single day whenever there’s a good number of dogs off leads.
“I would definitely welcome something [not only] in Kernan, but obviously across the borough.
“There was also a pilot scheme a while back, I think, focusing on dog fouling as well, which is another issue whenever it comes to irresponsible dog owners.
“I wonder is there an opportunity to potentially look at options there to kind of clean the place up as well.”
Councillor Keith Ratcliffe (TUV) explained that incidents involving dogs, saying: “It is an issue right across the whole borough, [including] Gosford Forest Park.
“I’ve had constituents on to me who had their own dogs attacked by dogs not on leads.
“There’s a lot of responsible dog owners out there, but unfortunately a few ruin it for everyone else and I really think the council needs to look at dogs being on leads, full stop.”
Concluding, Ald Moutray (DUP) commented: “It’s clear that from across the chamber so many people have referred to incidents over the years here.
“If we don’t do something about this now, I believe as a council we’re negligent. And I say that as someone who’s owned dogs in the past as well and who loves dogs.
“Other councils have done it. So, I think this is an opportune moment for us to try and to take action, so that nothing worse will ever happen, because I don’t want any of us to be sitting here in some time in the future and say, look what happened. We didn’t take action.”