Kilkee dogs in hot water

DOGS and the behaviour of their owners came under the spotlight yet again at Monday’s September meeting of Kilkee Town Council. Issues relating to incidents involving dogs were raised at the previous meeting of the town council in July and also last April.

At this week’s meeting, Councillor Lily Marrinan Sullivan asked that a sign be erected indicating that dogs are not allowed beyond the steps leading to the swimming areas at the Pollock Holes. The motion was passed.
“It’s bordering on pig ignorance,” Councillor Marrinan Sullivan said, in relation to recent incidents involving dogs and their unrepentant owners in the vicinity of the Pollock Holes, which are located at the West End in Kilkee.
“One woman I spoke to was swimming and a dog jumped on her back,” Councillor Marrinan Sullivan told her eight startled council colleagues.

“Her daughter got an awful fright,” she revealed, adding that approximately six people had approached her relating to incidents with dogs, while swimming near the Pollock Holes.

Councillor Marrinan Sullivan claimed when the dog’s owner was approached, following the swimming incident with the woman, he was unapologetic.

“His attitude was ‘there’s no signs up saying dogs can’t swim there’,” she explained.

Highlighting the need for a sign that would encourage owners to control their dogs, Councillor Marrinan Sullivan stressed the need for action. “We can’t let another season go by without addressing it,” she warned.
Commenting on the type of sign required, Councillor Paddy Collins suggested, “Rather than a high one, if it was a longer one?”

On a less contentious note, Councillor Marrinan Sullivan said the Kilkee traffic warden had performed excellently in ensuring that Kilkee beach was largely devoid of dogs during the peak summer months.

“The traffic warden’s handling of dogs on the beach this year was outstanding,” she proclaimed.

At the July meeting of Kilkee Town Council, members heard dogs in the town were flagrantly defecating on the street and on the beach, while their owners were not cleaning up after them.

At that meeting, the town council decided to acquire bags into which dog waste could be placed and locate them around the town.

Under Kilkee Beach Bylaws adopted in April 2010 and introduced on June 1 of that year, dogs and horses are only allowed onto the beach, while under supervision or on a leash, during designated hours.

The bylaws stipulate that between 11am and 6pm, during the summer season, it is illegal “to bring onto or ride, wash, drive or lead any horse, pony, donkey, ass, mule or other animal of the equine species on the beach. Before 11am and after 6pm, horses may be brought onto the beach if they are supervised.” An exemption has been made for the annual Strand Races in Kilkee, which will be held this year on Sunday, September 16.