Dogs are to be banned from a whole host of areas around the district, including play parks, sports pitches, golf courses and even some graveyards, as part of strict new bylaws set to be introduced.
Just days after Armagh I reported they were under consideration, Armagh City and District Council has now formally put on show three new planned Dog Control Orders, which are now open to public consultation.
Those breaching the orders can face an £80 fixed penalty notice or may be liable to prosecution.
One of the proposed orders, the Dogs on Lead by Direction, will require all dog owners to put their dog on a lead if instructed to do so by an authorised officers of the council.
One of the others will see dogs banned from certain areas altogether while, the third will require owners to keep their dog on a lead “of not more than two metres” when in certain areas.
There are, of course, overlaps here and some will apply to both. For instance, dogs would have to be kept on a lead on the Mall but are excluded altogether from the Cricket Field section of the Mall.
We reported on Sunday the use of stencils, CCTV, body worn cameras for enforcement officers all among new ‘get tough’ measures to cut down on dog fouling.
We also reported the possible introduction of the new regulations, which are now open to public submissions until 4pm on Friday, November 7.
Under the Dogs Exclusion Order, dogs will be banned from the following:
Armagh: The Palace Park play area; Drumarg Park play area; Mullacreevie playing fields and play park; Callanbridge play area; Sherrys Field play area and pitches; The Mall cricket field; Drumbreda play park and tennis court (within boundary); Alexander Park play park; Kingston Park (Mill Field); Ardmore pitches.
Markethill: Seaboughan Road play area and green park.
Tandragee: Recreation Centre football pitches and play park; action pitch; Laurelvale play park; Laurelvale pitch; Cricket Club; Coronation Street pitch.
Keady, Darkley and Derrynoose: Darkley play area; Darkley football pitch; Keady Glen play park; Madden Row pitch and play area; Keady Recreation Centre football pitch; Derrynoose PS play area.
Richhill/Hamiltonsbawn: Richhill Rec Centre football pitches and tennis courts; Richhill play park and bowling green; Hamiltonsbawn play park, adjacent to Hamiltonsbawn PS.
Loughgall: Loughgall Country Park play area, Golf Club and soccer field.
Blackwatertown play area.
Killylea play area.
Loughgilly play area.
Glenanne play area.
Clady play area.
Graveyards under care of Armagh Council: Bull’s Acre, off Banbrook Hill, Armagh; Loughgall Old Church graveyard; The Toby Hole, Eglish, Annaghmore; Kilbracks, Markethill; Acton, Poyntzpass; Tassagh Old Graveyard, Dundrum Road; Derrynoose, Listrakelt; Eglish, Artasooley; 1st Keady Presbyterian (The Temple), the area to the left hand side and rear of the church; Granemore, Old Church Graveyard; Ballymacnab, Old Church Graveyard; Legar Hill Old Graveyard, Charlemont; Kilmore, in front of the Church of Ireland; Tower Hill Graveyard, Armagh; Orchard Cemetery, Richhill, and Ardmore Cemetery, Armagh.
The Dogs on Leads Order will be for enforcement in the following areas:
Armagh: Palace Park, except in designated ‘dogs off lead’ area; Callan River Walk, from Nursery Road to Killylea Road; Sherry’s Field; Shambles Yard; Folly Glen; Youth Hostel and Old City Hospital site; Church of Ireland Cathedral Garden; The Mall; Drumbreda play park; Drumsill Park, the old play area; Alexander Park/Station Road; Orchard Leisure Centre, and Ardmore.
Markethill: Seaboughan Road Recreational area; Markethill High School grounds; Seagahan car park and walkways.
Tandragee; Recreation Centre; Clare Glen, from the Clare Vilage toilets to the caravan car park; Clare Glen Caravan Park; Glebehill River Walk, including the car park; Newry Canal Walk, from White Coats Lock to Gambles Bridge; Lockkeepers Cottage to Poyntzpass to Tandragee Road; Laurelvale play park; Walkway from Mullavilly PS to Whitesides Hill; Coronation Hill, Laurelvale, open space.
Richhill/Hamiltonsbawn: Richhill Recreation Centre; Trotters Walk; Marlacoo Lake area.
Keady, Darkley and Derrynoose: Keady Glen, from Cow Fair to Glen Road; Madden Row Recreation area; Keady dual use recreation area.
Loughgall Country Park and car park.
Blackwatertown play area.
All information is on show at the Palace in Armagh, for inspection during normal office hours.
Anyone wishing to respond can do so in writing to Environment Services, Environmental Health Department, Armagh City and District Council, Council Offices, The Palace Demesne, Armagh, BT60 4EL, or via email: ehealth@armagh.gov.uk
Armagh to benefit in new ABC super council £158m capital spending spree
New policy to tackle growing number of private swimming instructors
Cameras, stencils and more bins: Armagh wages war on dog fouling
Appeal as man assaulted by gang in Tandragee
Hundreds take part in annual Run/Walk for Autism
From tragedy to triumph for Armagh club Lurgyvallen Twelve
Fresh appeal following suspicious approach to young boy in county Armagh
Grainne launching new website for pancreatic cancer in memory of mum Anne
Mall one-way traffic system may be trialled during sewer scheme
