Council to consider banning dogs from graveyards

Edwin McGreal

Councillors in the Castlebar Municipal District are to consider a proposal to ban dogs from all graveyards in the district.
It comes after Cllr Michael Kilcoyne (Ind) submitted a motion before last Thursday’s meeting of the authority to introduce a bylaw banning dogs from the New Cemetery in Castlebar.
Cllr Kilcoyne, who is also an undertaker, said dogs being ‘let loose’ in the New Cemetery in Castlebar and ‘fouling on graves’ was something some people were ‘extremely upset about’ and said such fouling incidents are ‘totally disrespectful’.
He said sometimes the ‘New Cemetery was like a racecourse with dogs running back and forth and fouling graves’.
Cllr Al McDonnell (FF) supported the motion.
“I don’t think dogs should be allowed into a graveyard. People aren’t allowed bring their dog to work unless it is a guide dog. This should extend to all graveyards in the Castlebar Municipal District,” he said.

‘Big issue’
Cllr Therese Ruane (SF) said there was a big issue with dogs in the town but this was a step too far.
“Loose dogs are a big issue around Lough Lannagh and at the Town Park and I’ve had parents come up to me at Lough Lannagh afraid at loose dogs frightening their children. Dog fouling is a big problem, I don’t know how many times I’ve brought it up, but I haven’t seen one fine issued yet.
“However I can’t see how you could ban dogs. Dogs should be on a lead,” she said.
Cllr Cyril Burke (FG) said ‘a lot of people think their dog is a member of their family’ and said this ban would forbid people bringing their dog to a family funeral if they wished. He said the council should research what other local authorities do.
It was agreed to postpone the discussion until the next meeting.