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Our only town councillor, Cllr Donal Grady, is calling for parity of esteem between dogs and horses in Killarney. It seems that apart from one or two mavericks among the jarveys, the issue of horse dung has been truly tackled. The paths and park walkways are clean, at least of horse droppings, for cyclists and for parents with buggies and for walkers.

But amidst reports from neighbouring Cork that there is to be a ban on dogs in some town walkways to tackle persistent dog fouling, we have to ask what is wrong in Killarney? Persistent cries are being ignored.

Dog droppings are far more dangerous to human health - bringing all kinds of eye and other diseases - but there is no notice taken of them as far as the authorities in this town, and this includes the National Park, are concerned.

Cllr Donal is saying while there are staffing issues in the park with regard to policing, the local authority has within its remit the ability to appoint a specific dog warden or instruct other officials to take on the issue on the Countess Road, in estates, as well as at  the entrance to the National Park. So why not do that?

Dogs are not being kept in control in Killarney. Even judging by the number of ‘pets’ that go missing on walks and from back gardens. There is one popular social media site that is like a lost and found for Killarney dogs. Some of these pets are dangerous breeds and I would not like to meet one of them.

The underlying story is these so-called pets are being left off the leash and unmuzzled.

Speaking of which, I met a well known Killarney lady near Killarney House ten days ago and the sleeve of her jacket was all ripped after an encounter with an unmuzzled Alsation in the National Park.

There is a large sign near the Demesne, as there is near the new entrance in Muckross, about dangerous breeds needing to be muzzled and all dogs needing to be on the leash. I don’t know whether the dog or the owner is the one who can’t read, but these signs are very visible and very legible.

I constantly encounter dogs off-leash. I constantly meet owners smiling at me angelically, stopped while their dogs do the business by their side and not a pooper scooper in sight.

Now back to Cllr Grady. Horses don’t generally go around biting people and they are too busy working for a living to be bothered any further with humans. But the authorities weren’t long bringing the jarveys to the High Court to get action. Why can’t there be the same approach to out of control dogs and their owners?

All puns intended, Cllr Grady says it’s time to rein the dogs in too.

A reminder from Kerry County Council's own web site:

Under the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998, the following breeds have been identified as being potentially dangerous, therefore, at all times in public places these breeds must be securely muzzled, on a sufficiently strong chain/leash not exceeding 2m in length and in the control of a person over 16 years who is capable of controlling the dog. American Pit Bull Terrier, English Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa, to every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog), and to every other strain or cross of every breed or type of dog described in this article.

And under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, it is an offence to allow a dog under your control to foul a public place. As the owner or person in charge of the dog you are required under this law to remove dog faeces and dispose of it in a suitable, sanitary manner. Failure to clean up after your dog can lead to “on the spot” fines and/or prosecution. If you wish to report dog fouling as a problem in your area, phone 066 716 2000 or email environ@kerrycoco.ie.