Dogs in Clare could face daytime ban on the county's beaches

An afternoon stroll with your dog on the beach could be a thing of the past in Clare if proposals to ban dogs from the county's beaches are passed.

Clare County Council has published draft by-laws that will ban dogs from beaches between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day over the summer from June.

Dog owners who stray on to beaches, such as Lahinch and Kilkee, with their canine friends during those times run the risk of an on-the-spot fine of €125, or up to €270 if a case goes to the District Court.

During the unrestricted hours dog owners face fines if their dogs worry, chase, injure or disturb any other animals or birds on the beach. The ban also covers horses, donkeys, asses and mules.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council already has restrictions on dogs on its three beaches, while beach by-laws are being formulated by a number of coastal counties.

Ms Mary Buckley, a dog lover and operator of the Alpha Dog Training Centre, yesterday described the proposals as harsh and the fines as "over the top".

"If dog owners obeyed the laws and cleaned up after their dogs and kept them under control there would be no need for this ban," she said.

The council clampdown has received the support of its special policy committee on the environment and follows a recommendation by the county's dog warden, Mr Frankie Coote.

Mr Coote said he had sympathy for the minority who did look after their dogs properly on the beach and clean up after them.

"But I've had too many complaints about uncontrolled dogs. Last summer I had 20 separate incidents of children being bitten by uncontrolled dogs on the county's beaches, so something has to be done."

The director of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), Mr Alastair Keane, backed the move yesterday.

"There are health concerns and the outside risk of young children becoming blind if they get an infection after coming into contact with dog faeces on the beach," he said.

The by-laws are expected to be formally adopted by the full council next month, and will then go on public display for one month.