Mayo IFA meeting hears 'cases of unsavoury encounters' of dog lurching

Mayo IFA held an open public meeting on the ongoing concern of dog control and the practice of lurching by certain members of the public.

Over 100 landowners were in attendance at the meeting held in the Roundfort Community Centre in south Mayo which was chaired by Mayo IFA Chairman John Lynskey.

Superintendent Deirdre Gill along with local gardaí were also in attendance along with newly elected Mayo TD Paul Lawless as well as local county councillors Patsy O Brien, Damaien Ryan, Richard Finn and Michael Burke. The national Chairman of IFA sheep committee Adrian Gallagher was also in attendance.

The meeting heard of many cases of unsavoury encounters that have occurred recently and, in the past. The meeting heard calls for more support from Garda on the ground to support the communities of south Mayo and north Galway where there is a prevalence of such encounters.

Landowners also said that the local Garda have been very helpful where incidents have occurred in the past, but a quicker response time is needed when a dangerous confrontation takes place.

The local politicians gave a commitment to raise the issue with Mayo County Council to seek more support for the dog wardens in the county with Superintendent Gill also pledging to work with the local people to curb the action of a very few who have created fear among the local community.

The meeting discussed the code of practice agreed with Garda and IFA covering personal safety, reporting and observing where such problems arise. The IFA also distributed ' No Dogs Allowed' signs for all in attendance and asked landowners to erect the signs immediately.

The Chairman thanked all present for their attendance and paid tribute for the members of An Garda Siochána for attending.