An “unfortunate” incident which saw an off-lead dog attack and kill a cat in front of members of the public – including school children – has prompted elected representatives to consider opening dog runs across the borough.
The discussion came about at the opening of a full meeting of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council last night (May 26).
Commenting on the distressing ordeal, Lord Mayor Stephen Moutray said the incident in Lurgan Park was “made worse” by having been witnessed by a class of kids from King’s Park Primary School.
Initially, the Lord Mayor had received information that the dog had been a stray, he corrected this for members but did not elaborate on where the owner may have been at the time of the attack.
“I don’t think this is acceptable in our urban parks and we are coming to the stage where were need to look at the possibility providing dog runs within parks and, other than that, people need to keep dogs on a lead,” said the Lord Mayor.
While he said he knew the topic was “controversial” he added “none of us want to be coming back to say a dog was killed or child has been injured”.
The Lord Mayor proposed that a workshop be opened up for members to discuss the “best” course of action for tackling the issue.
He then invited Cllr Catherine Nelson to speak. The Cllr said: “Officers may recall that about two to three months ago at the Leisure Committee I suggested this every thing.
“I, too, am a dog owner but I do not go to Lurgan Park with my dog because my dog is on a lead and so many other dogs are not and he is quite an anxious wee dog.”
Nonetheless, the Cllr agreed that many dogs do require off-lead runs and she had proposed the idea of dog parks and runs previously but had “not had anything back about investigating the area within Lurgan Park”.
The Cllr proposed an area where dogs could run freely but that would be gated and secure. She referred to several parks across Northern Ireland within other council areas where this had been achieved and proved successful.
Alderman Mark Baxter agreed the Lurgan Park incident was “very unfortunate” but said, “it’s not the first time it has happened”.
The Alderman agreed a workshop may be the best way forward and said it was not that members wished to “hammer” dog owners because there are many responsible owners in the borough.
Of this issue with off-lead dogs in public areas, he said: “It’s very, very hard to train a dog to recall and I would say 90% of dogs off lead are not trained to recall.
“If that had of been a child or something… and who is to day the dog wouldn’t attack a child either.”
Alderman Baxter said a constituent who he spoke with about the issue also recounted another attack several months ago where a woman’s dog was attacked by another off-lead dog.
He proposed the motion as a “matter of urgency”.
Cllr Paul Duffy seconded the proposal adding that he “totally agrees” with all that was said. He commented: “It wasn’t too long ago that a few dogs ran out of the People’s Park and attacked a person walking along Park Road’s dog and it’s sitting with one of those cones on and it cost the woman in the region of £800 or £900.
“So it is a very costly thing. I just hope we would consider all other parks in the borough when discussing this.”
Cllr Peter Lavery also expressed his desire to see a plan rolled out across the entire borough and emphasised his belief that existing dog runs should be better advertised by council, making mention to a run he was aware of at Craigavon Lakes.
Recalling her own experience some 20 years ago, Cllr Mary O’Dowd said: “I do think the run in Craigavon should be highlighted more. 20 years ago I had my daughter in her pram at about six-months-old when a large dog bounced over and jumped on her.
“I do think that in around the lakes it should be highlighted that dogs be kept on lead because I don’t think it’s highlighted enough.”
Cllr Peter Haire, Cllr Kyle Moutray, Cllr Kate Evans, Cllr Thomas O’Hanlon, Cllr Keith Ratcliffe and Cllr Robbie Alexander all voiced their own support for the workshop and for making improvements across the borough for dog owners.
Each had their own additional commentary on this could best be achieved or developed but ultimately, all were singing from the same hymn sheet about the need for investigation and discussion on the topic.
In conclusion, the Lord Mayor said: “It’s clear across the chamber there have been so many incidents across there years… if we don’t do something now as a council I believe we are negligent.
“This is an opportune moment for us to try so that nothing worse will ever happen.”
