On this week’s Pat Kenny Show, we discussed dog parks: are these a positive step forwards, or a negative step backwards? We then took the usual queries from listeners. To listen to the podcast, click on the play button below.
Dog parks: right or wrong?
The traditional and sensible approach to dog control is to ban dogs from high risk areas (e.g. children’s play parks) and to insist that people pick up their dogs’ poops in all other areas. However some local authorities are taking a hardline stance, banning dogs from all parks and beaches and restricting them to confined areas that they call “dog parks”. Dun Laoghaire have done this now in Shanganagh, Marlay Park and others. They have introduced punitive bye-laws, obliging near-total leashing of dogs in virtually all public parks. The problem with this is that a large body of veterinary research consistently proves the serious damage to dogs’ mental health and wellbeing from continual leashing, in a species which has evolved alongside humans to explore and exercise freely.
The long-term solution to fouling requires fundamental behavioural change, entailing sustained effort:
– more bins;
– more litter wardens (with many more off-peak patrols);
– widespread adoption of very visible Responsible Dog Owner pledges, alongside a zero-tolerance and consistently enforced anti-fouling policy.
A group of dog owners have formed “DLR dogs”, a group that aims to collaborate with local authorities, especially DLRCoCo, to create responsible off-leash access to shared park space, a marked improvement on dog park concept which provides less than 1% of park land for use by dogs.
Dog parks sound good in theory, but in practice, they can be problematic. People with uncontrolled big dogs allow them to intimidate smaller, nervous dogs. Dog parks only work well when there is a paid dog warden in place at all times to monitor things: this is how it works in New York etc.
For more discussion on dog parks, read Pete’s recent article in the Daily Telegraph.
Callers about pets to the Pat Kenny Show
Betty from County Louth had a question about her cat, which had suddenly started staggering around.
Roz in Tramore had a question about her two dogs: one of them refuses to allow the other dog to drink water from bowls if she is in the room
Texts about pets to the Pat Kenny Show
1. How I can stop next door’s dog pooping on our lawn. A fence isn’t an option. Sinead
2. Why have my two dogs aged 5 and 10 started eating soil in the garden. Noreen
3. My dog will not drink the tap water in our house only bottled water. If we offer him rain water, tap water or bottled water he drinks the rain water and bottled but never tap” Why do you think this is? Caller from Ballyfermot.
4. My little terrier keeps getting sleep in his eyes, I mean it builds up over a few hours and I’m constantly wiping it away, his eyes don’t look sore but could something be wrong? Deborah
5. My husband loves my dog more then me, what would you advise I do?
6. I live in the countryside and have a young cat that has started to hunt rabbits and I presume rats as well. Are there any extra precautions I should take re: parasites, fleas etc. She is a child’s pet so is in the house regularly.
7. My one year old white rescue Jack Russell has black spots on his skin all over his body which are becoming more and more visible as if hair is thinning … Also his skin is quite pink on tummy ,is this normal? Anne
8. I bring my dog to Deerpark dog park, but en route nearly every other owner has their dogs off leash, despite signs to forbid this. It’s very frustrating for my dog, she can’t understand why she’s not allowed off the lead!
9. My rescued Tibetan Spaniel would start WW3 if she were loose in a confined area. Lucy likes to take on the biggest dog going. Paul in Whitehall
10. My dog is an exotic mix of a collie, terrier and god knows what else. She puts weight on so easily. My mums Yorkshire terrier eats more than her and she gets a walk every day. Could there be anything else causing this? She is neutered. Jacqueline
