DSPCA - Off lead dog park

dimple

I was reading on the DSPCA website that they are planning on opening Ireland's first off lead dog park. Has anybody heard anything about this? I was wondering when it would be up and running. Sounds great.

wibblebee

I have heard theres to be a proper dog park at Marlay Park in Rathfarnham... Not sure if this is the one you are mentioning.

Whispered

I heard it's only open to certain breeds who fit their criteria.:mad:

TKD SC

I don't believe it will be open for a while, as they need to raise a load of money first!

Hadn't heard about it being for certain breeds, but not sure...

Whispered

i think I heard it mentioned here that certain breeds are ot allowed.

Vel

They've been talking about that dog park for AGES now. I'm sure the €100,000 grant from the government they just received could go far, but in reality that gets swallowed up by the wages they pay their staff, some of whom leave a lot to be desired in terms of attitude and the actual amount of work they do.

LordDorington

Vel wrote: »

They've been talking about that dog park for AGES now. I'm sure the €100,000 grant from the government they just received could go far, but in reality that gets swallowed up by the wages they pay their staff, some of whom leave a lot to be desired in terms of attitude and the actual amount of work they do.

any updates on this?

pig2twig

My hubbie heard it was open, but I couldn't see anything on their site. We've been using Marley which is excellent. In terms of only allowing certain breeds, the Marley one doesn't allow restricted breed list dogs. Presumably DSPCA will be the same?

LordDorington

pig2twig wrote: »

My hubbie heard it was open, but I couldn't see anything on their site. We've been using Marley which is excellent. In terms of only allowing certain breeds, the Marley one doesn't allow restricted breed list dogs. Presumably DSPCA will be the same?

I imahine so. I have worked with them before and they are very "by the book" shall we say. Its a pity really as most people who know dogs know that with a responsible owner , a lot of the listed breeds can be lovely mutts! I am planning on trying out the marley one this weekend with my dog. She has recently acquired a wheelchair so I am always looking for "safe spaces" for her to run around and meet other canine friends away from traffic, hills etc!

WeeBushy

Vel wrote: »

They've been talking about that dog park for AGES now. I'm sure the €100,000 grant from the government they just received could go far, but in reality that gets swallowed up by the wages they pay their staff, some of whom leave a lot to be desired in terms of attitude and the actual amount of work they do.

Wow, that's a terrible thing to say. I've seen them work first hand, and they all work damn hard, Jimmy wouldn't stand for anything less. Early starts, late finishes, weekends are all a regular occurrence. And their wages... well lets just say they certainly aren't in the job for the money.

pig2twig wrote: »

I imahine so. I have worked with them before and they are very "by the book" shall we say. Its a pity really as most people who know dogs know that with a responsible owner , a lot of the listed breeds can be lovely mutts! I am planning on trying out the marley one this weekend with my dog. She has recently acquired a wheelchair so I am always looking for "safe spaces" for her to run around and meet other canine friends away from traffic, hills etc!

Unfortunately they have to be "by the book". They are the biggest and most visible S.P.C.A. in Ireland, how would it look if a child got attacked by a pit bull in one of these parks? They have to set the highest standards.
Some people there bemoan this as they know how silly it is; some of the supposedly dangerous dogs that go through there are the most friendly and placid dogs you'll meet. Unfortunately if something bad happens that's not how the public are going to see it. I think it's a shame, but that's the way it is.

lorebringer

helena.ryan wrote: »

i think I heard it mentioned here that certain breeds are ot allowed.

Not even when muzzled?

LordDorington

WeeBushy wrote: »

Wow, that's a terrible thing to say. I've seen them work first hand, and they all work damn hard, Jimmy wouldn't stand for anything less. Early starts, late finishes, weekends are all a regular occurrence. And their wages... well lets just say they certainly aren't in the job for the money.



Unfortunately they have to be "by the book". They are the biggest and most visible S.P.C.A. in Ireland, how would it look if a child got attacked by a pit bull in one of these parks? They have to set the highest standards.
Some people there bemoan this as they know how silly it is; some of the supposedly dangerous dogs that go through there are the most friendly and placid dogs you'll meet. Unfortunately if something bad happens that's not how the public are going to see it. I think it's a shame, but that's the way it is.

Actually I am afraid I agree with previous post. Their attitude DOES stink and I have experienced it first hand. They DO a lot of good work, and I am not taking from that, but they are very concerned with the medi, more so than they are about their animals. I worked with them for a number of years (and no I am not a disgruntled ex employee as it was voluntary work) and the amount of euthansias I saw that were completely unnecessary. We are talking cat flu which is entirely treatable (I know because two of mine which are big fat lumps now I rescued from deaths door with flu at a few days old). I even saw them euthanasing an old english sheepdog before because "his coat was in too bad a condition" to treat - his coat! I mean, shave it off! I have since worked with numerous other charities including the Blue Cross and I have to say from PERSONAL experience, and given the resources made available to them by the government they do a far better job. The smaller, often privately run charities generally do a lot more of the "hands on" work which is so valuable to animals who need a helping hand.

Re listed breeds, I think I already specified that I do not have a problem with this, but am aware that a lot of the breeds are there because of bad publicity. I never inferred that they should not be "by the book"...I am simply pointing out that they ARE.

WeeBushy

LordDorington wrote: »

Actually I am afraid I agree with previous post. Their attitude DOES stink and I have experienced it first hand. They DO a lot of good work, and I am not taking from that, but they are very concerned with the medi, more so than they are about their animals. I worked with them for a number of years (and no I am not a disgruntled ex employee as it was voluntary work) and the amount of euthansias I saw that were completely unnecessary. We are talking cat flu which is entirely treatable (I know because two of mine which are big fat lumps now I rescued from deaths door with flu at a few days old). I even saw them euthanasing an old english sheepdog before because "his coat was in too bad a condition" to treat - his coat! I mean, shave it off! I have since worked with numerous other charities including the Blue Cross and I have to say from PERSONAL experience, and given the resources made available to them by the government they do a far better job. The smaller, often privately run charities generally do a lot more of the "hands on" work which is so valuable to animals who need a helping hand.

Can I ask how long ago you volunteered? When I volunteered there several years ago I might have been more inclined to agree with you, but from my recent time spent there that would be very inaccurate. They have improved immeasurably into a very professionally run outfit.

From my experiences there, and dealing with similar organisations both in Ireland and abroad I would have to say the the D.S.P.C.A. are extremely good. Not perfect mind, but better than you think.

LordDorington wrote: »

Re listed breeds, I think I already specified that I do not have a problem with this, but am aware that a lot of the breeds are there because of bad publicity. I never inferred that they should not be "by the book"...I am simply pointing out that they ARE.

Sorry, thought you were implying it was a bad thing that they were by the book. My mistake.

LordDorington

WeeBushy wrote: »

Can I ask how long ago you volunteered? When I volunteered there several years ago I might have been more inclined to agree with you, but from my recent time spent there that would be very inaccurate. They have improved immeasurably into a very professionally run outfit.

From my experiences there, and dealing with similar organisations both in Ireland and abroad I would have to say the the D.S.P.C.A. are extremely good. Not perfect mind, but better than you think.



Sorry, thought you were implying it was a bad thing that they were by the book. My mistake.

Its a few years now, back before the transition from stocking lane. That said, I have acted as a behind scene volunteer and have done some fostering etc more recently and had issues with one or two things then aswell.

For me, they have always been too euthanol happy - you bark crooked and you're a gonner but maybe I am too soft in that regard.

I think we will just have to agree to disagree.

Didnt mean to jump down your throat re the listed breeds - I think it si something people tned to be very divided on.

Regards

WeeBushy

LordDorington wrote: »

Its a few years now, back before the transition from stocking lane. That said, I have acted as a behind scene volunteer and have done some fostering etc more recently and had issues with one or two things then aswell.

For me, they have always been too euthanol happy - you bark crooked and you're a gonner but maybe I am too soft in that regard.

I think we will just have to agree to disagree.

Don't get me wrong, I don't like euthanasia either. But I guess we just must have different experiences of the place and how it's run.

LordDorington wrote: »

Didnt mean to jump down your throat re the listed breeds - I think it si something people tned to be very divided on.

Regards

No worries, didnt take any offense!

LordDorington

WeeBushy wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I don't like euthanasia either. But I guess we just must have different experiences of the place and how it's run.



No worries, didnt take any offense!

Yeah its so up and down when caring for animals. I remember working for blue cross and your heart would be broken and warmed again in the same evening with different cases coming to the clinics. Working with animals is so tough...but someone has to do to and it has its good times!

Vel

WeeBushy wrote: »

Wow, that's a terrible thing to say. I've seen them work first hand, and they all work damn hard, Jimmy wouldn't stand for anything less. Early starts, late finishes, weekends are all a regular occurrence. And their wages... well lets just say they certainly aren't in the job for the money.

You might think so but its my opinion based on my own personal experience volunteering there and believe me, I'm not the only person who has been through the gate of that place that feels that way. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on the effectiveness of Mr. Cahill!

WeeBushy

Vel wrote: »

You might think so but its my opinion based on my own personal experience volunteering there and believe me, I'm not the only person who has been through the gate of that place that feels that way. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on the effectiveness of Mr. Cahill!

Can I ask you as well when you volunteered? Because if it was recently I'm quite frankly at a loss to what could bring you to that opinion.

You're right, we most definitely will have to agree to disagree

Vel

WeeBushy wrote: »

Can I ask you as well when you volunteered? Because if it was recently I'm quite frankly at a loss to what could bring you to that opinion.

You're right, we most definitely will have to agree to disagree

Hi WeeBushy, I stopped volunteering there approx 18 months ago.

LordDorington

Well took our little dear to the park yesterday she had a ball, how cute is that dog area? Lots of mutts of all shapes and sizes running about and socialising. Initially I felt really guilty for bringing her in with other dogs who are more able bodied etc but I think it actually helped her feel more normal and part of the "pack" which is always a good thing

LordDorington

found another "dog friendly" park yesterday. its not a dedicated dog park but there were very few people there and those who were there had their dogs with them.

Its across the road from Lidl in Walkinstown, looks really small from the outside but its actually very big. Lots of little mini woodland areas for them to explore and also quite safe as there is just one gated entrance in.

lrushe

LordDorington wrote: »

found another "dog friendly" park yesterday. its not a dedicated dog park but there were very few people there and those who were there had their dogs with them.

Its across the road from Lidl in Walkinstown, looks really small from the outside but its actually very big. Lots of little mini woodland areas for them to explore and also quite safe as there is just one gated entrance in.

I've been there myself, it is an ok place to walk your dog off leash but go there in the summer and you will find alot of lads hanging around drinking, or at least that's the experience I've had. There is no real supervision of the grounds that I've seen.

Fuzzy Clam

Anybody know if the park on Killiney Hill is still dog friendly ?

kazza90210

Killiney hill is still dog friendly, and is an off lead area. bets place to walk doggies if your nearby