Mayo councillor verbally abused by owner of 'out of control dog'

A FEMALE Mayo councillor recalled 'a very uncomfortable' situation she encountered when she was verbally abused by a man when she asked him to control his out of control 'large black dog'.

Castlebar-based Fine Gael councillor Donna Sheridan told the monthly meeting of Castlebar of a scary situation in which she and her young nephews faced when an out of control dog ran around the playground at Lough Lannagh.

A self-confessed dog lover who is ‘not afraid of dogs', Cllr Sheridan said that what happened made her and other people feel uncomfortable and called on dog owners to ensure their dogs are controlled at all times.

“I am not afraid of dogs but this was a large dog running around the playground. I asked the man to put the dog on a lead but he was extremely aggressive and it was a very uncomfortable situation to see small kids and an extremely large dog. I don't think people realise that even with dog lovers when you have a large black dog jumping at you it is very scary. We need to make it clear that aggressive behaviour and large dogs off a lead is completely unacceptable,” she said.

Cllr Sheridan outlined that when she asked the man to put his dog on a lead he started to verbally abuse her.

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“Some of the things this man shouted at me and others that were there... he should be ashamed of himself for his behaviour. It was absolutely disgraceful.

“He verbally abused me and was roaring across the playground and it was really uncomfortable in the middle of the day on a Saturday with a lot of young kids around.”

The former Cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District said she loves bringing her dog to Lough Lannagh and welcomed the new dog park in the area. She said that she had no issue with dogs being under 'effective control' by their owner if they are off a lead but stressed this dog was out of control and she will be reporting the incident to the dog warden.

“There are loads of signs to say dogs must be under effective control but this dog wasn't and I am not afraid of dogs.

“I will be going to the dog warden with a video and it will be easy to identify,” she added.