Time running out for public to have say on dog ‘ban’ Orders

by
Micheal McKenna
November 1, 2014

Public consultation on whether or not dogs should be banned from a whole host of areas across Armagh City and District will come to a close this coming Friday, November 7.

The possible introduction of new bylaws is something of a controversial issue.

Armagh I revealed early in October that play parks, sports pitches, golf courses and even some graveyards could become ‘no go’ areas for dog owners with their pets if strict new bylaws are introduced.

Our initial post breaking the story was viewed more than 50,000 times and attracted scores of comments.

We understand too that it has prompted considerable feedback to Armagh City and District Council during the consultation period.

The public now have just five days remaining to make their views known. The consultation officially ends at 4pm on Friday and a decision would be expected shortly after that time.

Just days after Armagh I first reported they were under consideration, Armagh City and District Council formally put on show three new planned Dog Control Orders.

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.

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 up until this coming Friday.

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