Councillor urges dog walkers to keep pets on leads in Swan Park

There has been a further call for dog owners using Buncrana’s Swan Park to restrain their pets after a reported attack on a puppy by a larger dog.

Last weekend’s incident is believed to have involved a dog that was unleashed.

Earlier this year a young child was knocked off a bike by a dog that was off its lead.

Buncrana county councillor Jack Murray said that unrestrained dogs in the park is  “a very regular occurrence”. 

“Even when I put up posts to highlight the problem I’ll be further inundated with people telling me stories about it, highlighting their concerns,” continued the Sinn Féin councillor.

Mr Murray isn’t discouraging dog openers from taking their pets to Swan Park, but he is reminding them to consider other park users.

“People might think they only need to keep them on a lead if they’re a dangerous dog. That’s not the case. It could be friendly dogs or excitable dogs.”

Signage was erected to remind park users to keep dogs under control after the incident in April involving the child.

“Unfortunately that has been ignored by some people, it’s a minority of people. It’s a bit of personal responsibility.”

Cllr Murray is working on trying to organise an awareness day with the dog warden and 

gardaí to help improve awareness of the issue.

After these incidents in the park the councillor thinks the solution is simple. 

“If dog owners do take their dog for a walk, just keep it on a lead.”