This article is from page 14 of the 2006-06-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
PEOPLE who deliberately flout Clare County Council’s new day-time dogs ban on beaches have been warned that they will face enforcement action from the local authority.
At a meeting of the Special Policy Committee (SPC) on the Environment, the council’s Environment Director, Ger Dollard, said that there was some evidence that people are deliberately ignoring the ban.
“These are isolated cases, but I can assure you that these people will face enforcement action from the council if this continues.”
Mr Dollard said that, in general, people were abiding by the new bylaws, which prohibit dogs – even those on a lead – from going onto Clare’s beaches between 11am and 6pm each day over the summer months.
“We have always stressed that we would be taking a softy-softy approach in the early stages,” he said.
Chair of the SPC, Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said that the reaction to the new regulations had been positive.
“I have concerns that there are a number of isolated cases where dogowners have ignored the ban, but the public has shown that it is not willing to accept it and that has to be a good thing.”
Clare’s dog warden, Frankie Coote, told The Clare People that he had inspected Lahinch beach on three separate occasions “and I haven’t seen a dog on the beach.”
“It is very early stages, but the feedback that I have been getting is all positive.
“I have received no complaints, only compliments, especially from families on Lahinch beach. There have also been no complaints of anyone being bitten.”
According to the regulations, those found walking their dogs on Clare’s beaches between 11am and 6pm face on-the-spot fines of €125 and fines of €1,270 if cases go to court.
One of those opposed to the ban, Cllr Joe Carey (FG) said, “People are saying to me that they believe that this ban is over the top and wondering how they are going to be enforced.
“The ISPCA was against this ban and you have to respect their views that part of the beach could be cordoned off for dogs, but their views have not been taken on board by Clare County Council.
“If the laws in place prior to the ban were being properly adhered to and enforced, where people would be prosecuted for dogs running lose and allowing dogs foul, there wouldn’t be a need for the new laws.