We’re a nation of dog lovers and our lovely pooches play a huge part in our lives. This was reflected at yesterday’s Borough District of Drogheda meeting when two motions were raised calling for a special facility in Drogheda where dogs could be let off their leads and run free.
Councillors Kevin Callan and Paddy McQuillan both submitted similar motions but the Council were having none of it. Their written response to both councillors was dogmatic and short but not very sweet:
“The Council has no plans to progress a dog park/dog run on council owned lands” was the response of the Director of Place Making, Catherine Duff.
Both councillors were affronted by the peremptory response as were several other Councillors around the table.
“Dog parks have become a very popular community facility around the country. They are spaces where dog owners of all ages and backgrounds can meet” said Paddy McQuillan. “They encourage active lifestyles for people and they improve dog socialisation skills. Fingal County Council alone has created seven dog parks of all types and sizes.
Quoting figures attained from LCC for the year 2022, McQuillan said there were 7,788 licences issued to responsible dog owners in the county, up from 6,000 in 2019. “I think it would be safe to say that as the largest town in Ireland, soon to be a city, there must be 2000 responsible dog owners in Drogheda” he said.
“I have visited many of these facilities including dog parks in Arklow, Greystones, Donabate, Malahide, St. Anne’s Park and Griffen Park. Responsible dog owners expressed how much they enjoyed and valued them.
“We have formed a committee to work on getting a dog park in Drogheda. I have also spoken with Drogheda’s two largest pet stores, Maxi Zoo and All Pets, about the demand for these facilities in the town and they are willing to help to see this community facility materialise.”
Cllr. McQuillan added that following his previous motion to Louth County Council in 2022 he was inundated with support from responsible dog owners to pursue this project and that a dedicated Facebook page has been set up (Drogheda Dog Park) which now has almost 400 followers.
“With the new development of the north side of the town I believe that land could be identified as suitable” he said, but “there needs to be a willingness on the part of Louth County Council.
“Up to now the council have unfortunately refused to even explore my motion. I believe that the council has a duty to explore the possibility of Drogheda having a Dog Park.”
Councillor Callan’s motion read as follows:
Asking Louth County Council to examine the trialling of a designated dog park in one of our public parks such as St Dominic’s Park. Such parks which are compact and low maintenance operate in cities throughout Europe are also low cost and provide a safe area for owners and dogs and add to public spaces.
It too was shot down with the same one line response which he described as “totally unsatisfactory” but that he will deal with the issue in his own time with the Manager.
Several other Councillors expressed their disappointment with the Council’s response with Pio Smith saying it was “very disrespectful” while Joanna Byrne said it was the “the height of disrespect” adding that a dog park is something that the people of Drogheda were crying out for.
Senior Council official Paddy Donnelly told the meeting that it was not the case that Councillors were being treated with disrespect with responses from officials. “No offence was intended” he said, “but there are a lot of competing requirements to improve the society we’re living in.”
“No offence taken” said Mayor Michelle Hall, “but neither are the council co-operating with members to deliver this project.”
Councillor Callan said he was delighted with the support he received from fellow councillors. “Whilst the council have responded that it’s currently not being explored, I will keep at it until we get movement on what he said is “a safe place for dogs and dog owners and a means to cleaner parks.”
