Sir, – I see that Killiney beach has been closed to swimmers due to bacterial contamination ("Bacteria levels at Killiney beach 'significantly higher' than normal", July 17th). While the exact cause of this problem is not clear at present, it does raise the question as to why dogs are still allowed on our bathing beaches. Your report notes that "Dogs splashing around can cause contamination, with the average dog faeces containing enough bacteria to contaminate four Olympic-sized swimming pools".
On urban beaches in Australia, Europe and the US, dogs are banned, and the ban is rigorously enforced by the lifeguards.
Killiney Hill has been allowed to degenerate into an outdoor dog toilet and I worry that a similar fate awaits the beach, as the recent complete ban on dogs at Sandycove and Seapoint beaches was not extended to Killiney.
Clearly, a decision has been made by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Council to let Killiney “go to the dogs”. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN BERWICK,
Abberley,
Killiney, Co Dublin.