Uncontrolled dogs 'as big as calves' posing a danger in Tipperary

Dogs “as big as calves” are being allowed roam freely through housing estates across Tipperary, according to a councillor who wants to see a drive made to eliminate the risks posed by “dangerous breeds”.

Independent councillor Jim Ryan from Thurles made his remarks at a meeting of Tipperary County Council in Clonmel on Monday.

“I have a concern about dogs as big as calves that are unmuzzled and under no control in estates,” said Cllr Ryan, who was referring to what he had himself witnessed.

“Something serious is going to happen to a child unless we restrict big dogs that are unmuzzled and uncontrolled,” he said.

Calling on the council to employ an extra dog warden to try to tackle the issue, Cllr Ryan said the current situation was not the fault of the council’s existing dog wardens who were “overloaded” with work.

Cllr Liam Browne referred to dangerous dogs roaming around the streets of Cashel in recent times. He said a number of family pets had been killed by such dogs. Two dogs had attacked a cat which as a result had to be put to sleep.

Cllr Richie Molly, supporting the call for the employment of an additional dog warden, said the dog pound in Clonmel had been closed down and now the only pound in the county was in Nenagh.

Cllr John Fitzgerald said calls for an additional warden amounted to “a flimsy solution to what was a bigger problem”. What was required was a plan by the council on how it was going to tackle the risks posed to children and adults in the light of “atrocities” caused by certain breeds of dogs in other parts of the country.

ROTTWEILER CHARGING

Cllr David Dunne recounted a rottweiler charging towards him when he out canvassing during for the recent local elections. Fortunately, the gate of the house where the dog was had been shut, but the encounter sent him fleeing to the safety of his car.

“There are no bad dogs, just bad owners,” he said. “This is what we should be looking at.”

Cllr Dunne said large uncontrolled dogs were not the only problem. Many people had three or four small dogs that spent nights barking and keeping neighbours awake.

He called for a more streamlined policy to tackling such issues. “We need one proper authority to deal with the control of dogs because the present system is not working.”

Cllr John Carroll, who also called for more controls, said he had witnessed a starving dog that had been tied to a lamp post by its owner who had failed to provide the animal with shelter from the rain and cold. “There should be a level of competency before someone is allowed to own a dog.”

Cllr Michael Anglim said he had encountered dogs while out on his local election canvass that were “a danger to society”.

Cllr Phyll Bugler said older people had complained to her about the risks of being tripped by dogs that were not on a leash.

Director of Services in the council’s Environmental Section, Eamon Lonergan, said management shared the concerns expressed by councillors. He said the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, had set up a working group on dog controls in the hope of tackling the issues raised.