The following press release from DLR suggests a summer of discontent for all dog lovers in the area:
PRESS RELEASE
Friday 30th March 2012
Council invites in Stakeholders for further debate around Beach Bye Laws
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has announced that following a period of public consultation on Draft Bye Laws proposed to amend the existing regulations regarding the control of dogs on beaches, a range of interested parties will be invited into County Hall to engage in further debate around the issue.
Under the current bye-laws “no person shall take or allow to enter on a beach any animal which is under their ownership or control during the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. June to September inclusive.” At all other time dogs must be kept on a leash. Under the new Draft Bye-Laws it is proposed that dogs will be allowed off-leash outside of the designated bathing areas at certain times, which is less restrictive than the current regulations.
A spokesperson for DLR says that the Council “is delighted to see a very real engagement with the consultation process, which has generated almost 600 submissions representing a wide and diverse range of opinions.” The Council is proposing to invite in a number of stakeholder groups selected from these submissions, to present their views to a meeting of one of the Council’s Strategic Policy Committees in June. The Strategic Policy Committee comprises Elected Members of the Council as well as representatives from various interest groups in the County.
The Council has repeatedly stated that it wants to achieve a balance between the needs of all beach users, engaging in a consultation process that values the opinions of dog owners, swimmers, walkers and all beach users alike. It is expected that the report on the 599 submissions and the follow up report of the Strategic Policy Committee will be presented to a full Council Meeting later in the year.
In the meantime, the Council says that its Council Wardens will enforce the current Beach Bye Laws as laid down in the regulations.
ENDS
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