Dogs on Beaches

yrreg0850

While there are signs on most beaches in Clare advising that no dogs allowed between 11AM AND 6PM , Theses signs are constantly ignored.

Who is responsible for enforcement ?.

In itself the 11 to 6 rule is too short . I have seen dogs foul the beach before 11 with the tide gone out thus, leaving their waste on the beach for the day while children are playing on the same sand.

MarkR

You could probably contact the environmental office. https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/environment/control-of-animals/dog-control/

callaway92

Are these rules legal though?

If they were I’d encourage you to speak up to the person walking the dog

Drives me spare seeing it too - at least if you were to say it, if it was illegal of them to do it, you wouldn’t feel as bad saying it

yrreg0850

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119223121#Comment_119223121

These are council byelaws.

My main problem is I have a young daughter (8Yrs )with a very mild autism which includes a fear dogs. If she sees a dog on a beach she will not venture onto the beach or, scream to leave if she sees one approaching.

I cannot accept that a dog can have freedom on a beach than a young child.

On a few occasions that I approached dog owners , the most polite response I got was "Get Stuffed"

On a few occasions that I approached dog owners , the most polite response I got was "Get Stuffed"

And rightly so. The world does not revolve around you and your child.

Dogs are excluded after 11am until 6pm, so keep your visits to those times.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119224391#Comment_119224391

So what should they do in between those times if someone is walking their dog on the beach? (Very often without a leash etc)

Buddy Bubs

The age old debate. Rights of people that don't like dogs v the rights of people that do like dogs and walking with them. Autistic people and people with other mental health problems enjoy having their dogs too. Will never be resolved, just depends on which side of the fence you are on. I'm on the side of the right to have your dog out in public and enjoy beaches and parks, once the dog is under control.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119224443#Comment_119224443

Keep their distance.

If someone is breaking the bye-laws, then they may have reason to complain.

But before 11am and after 6pm, (as per the bye-laws) the dog owners have as much right to be on the beach with their dogs as anyone else.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119224501#Comment_119224501

Ya - but not between 11am and 6pm

It mightnt just be about keeping distance. Dogs can be off leashes which isn’t nice if a child has any fear of them.. or be **** all over the place etc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119224647#Comment_119224647

Take it up with the County Council, if you have a problem. They set the bye-laws.

But they're not going to ban all dogs from the beaches 24/7 just because yours or someone elses child has a fear of them.

Talk about a sense of entitlement.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119224729#Comment_119224729

Nobody’s talking about banning them 24/7 - are you reading the posts

We’re talking about the specific times.

How’s it entitlement? It’s about having clean public land to enjoy without having dogs running around freely

Yes, I am reading them, and the OP most definitely gave the impression that she does want them banned 24/7. As it is, a 7 hour window is not big enough for her and her child.

That is entitlement.

If it were my child, I would be working on resolving why they are afraid of dogs - not expect dogs to be banned from being within her sight for her comfort.

We're not going to reach agreement on this, I believe dog owners have as much right to enjoy the beaches with their dogs, as parents do with their kids.

So I'll leave it at that.

callaway92

Thanks for leaving it like that, couldn’t bear reading another post of yours

Unfortunately, not everyone likes dogs, some having fears of them

Couple that with dog ****, barking etc, and it’s a very reasonable ask to have a few hours a day of no pets on the beach

whisky_galore

A sense of entitlement is leaving your dog sh1t everywhere and not bother your arse picking it up. The usual dog turds appearing when the sun decides to appear at my local beach. Makes a complete mockery of Blue Flag status.

Oh the drama! Dear God, get over yourself.

Fully agree on the points about picking up after your dogs, but not on a ban on ALL dogs, because a minority don't.

What about the family whose dog is part of their family and their kids want to bring the dog with them on family outings to play with them? Thats part of the fun of owning a dog. It also encourages exercise.

See? We can all make it about "our“ kids if we're that self-entitled.

As for a fear of dogs - that sounds like a "you" problem to deal with, not anyone else's. Again, the world doesn't revolve around you. Or your kids.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119227607#Comment_119227607

Thought you said you'd 'leave it at that'

Nobody is on about banning all dogs. People are asking for rules that are THERE, to be adhered to, rather than people blatantly ignoring them and not being penalised, and even at times, being rough to people who complain

I'm allowed change my mind. It's a free country.

And hark at you, you didn't even know what the rules were, until they were explained to you.

This was already addressed —

The OP was not just complaining that the current bye-laws were being ignored, but that a 7 hour a day window was not big enough for her.

I've already made the point that I agree that dog owners should pick up poops, but not that dogs should be banned, or banned for more hours of the day, to suit them, or anyone else.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119227726#Comment_119227726

You’ve lost the plot

Nobody said they should be banned - People just want rules to be adhered to

You’d hardly park in a disabled spot when it’s a against the law to?

yrreg0850

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119224452#Comment_119224452

I assume by your attitude that you have never had to deal with a child with mental problems --lucky you .

I have no problem with service dogs as these are not banned and are always under control .

My problem is with the owners who break the law and, let their mongrels run wild and disturb everybody.

yrreg0850

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119225012#Comment_119225012

I trust you never had to deal with child or, adult for that matter with any mental disability.

crossman47

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119225012#Comment_119225012

People have a right to bring dogs onto beaches as long as (a) they keep them on a leash and (b) clean up their mess. Unfortunately, in my experience, many dog owners do neither and look askance at you if you remind them to c;lean up and keep the dogs away from everyone else.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119228304#Comment_119228304

Oh c'mon! The dogs in the street could see the sub-text in the OPs original posts.

"I see dogs fouling before 11am..."

"I cannot accept that a dog can have freedom on a beach than a young child".

Yada yada yada. There was only one direction that was going, and it wasn't to enforcement.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119228541#Comment_119228541

Both, actually.

I've also dealt with a lot of Karens in my time.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119228304#Comment_119228304

to be fair the OP is not asking for the rules to be adhered to, she is asking for the hours to be increased, she states that 11-6 is too short even though this is the by-law. I think 11-6 of dog free time is perfectly reasonable...... and yes it should be adhered to but I very much doubt anyone will police it (especially the Gardai). The remainder of the time, early mornings and evenings should be for dog owners and they should pick up their dog's poop.

also on the mental health issue and disabilities, many people have therapy dogs and use dogs to help their mental health. They are great for people living on their own with depression. Plenty of people have mental health issues, many of them look perfectly ok on the outside. You just dont know anyone's reason for owing a dog. So please be tolerant of everyone as long as they pick up their dog poop.

yrreg0850

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119228593#Comment_119228593

I do admit I would prefer no dogs on beaches but the law is there banning them between certain times and, this is neither being adhered to by selfish dog owners or enforced by the local authority.

How would you react if I drove my car onto a beach and aimed it towards you thus breaking the law.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119228642#Comment_119228642

Now you're just being ridiculous.

denismc

I think the bye laws are required to maintain a beach's "Blue Flag Status", So they are only in effect in some beaches.

As regards dogs and children in my experience, its the children that want to approach the dog rather than the other way round.

Only once ever have I met a child that was terrified of dogs, it turned out that the child's mother had passed on her fear to her child.

hamburgham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119227435#Comment_119227435

The rubbish left behind by humans is more offensive.When I was a child, I cut my foot on brokem glass at the beach. And kids playing football on the beach annoy me, should they be banned as well? I don't want a football in my face. But I believe in live and let live.

policarp

Dogs on Bitches should be banned.

Specially in Clare.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119228608#Comment_119228608

Of course you have. The answer was never going to be ‘no I haven’t’ there

Very convenient

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119229029#Comment_119229029

Grow up.

Bananaleaf

Plenty of people make more **** of the beaches than dogs do. If only we could ban them.

Personally, I'd love a child-free beach myself. Have a fear and dislike of them and feel like screaming if they come too close. Joking aside, I am a dog lover but I used to have a fear of dogs so I do understand how that can be scary. I think many dog owners don't consider that not everyone likes dogs. IMO in the very same way that many parents don't consider that not everyone likes children.

The dog dirt is obviously a problem for people, but trust me, it's a huge problem for responsible dog owners too. Not only does it let the side down, but we don't want our dogs exposed to it either.

Ireland is waaaay behind the rest of the Europe (when are we ever not?) when it comes to pet-friendly locations. Please don't be trying to take more spaces away from us.

whisky_galore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119228808#Comment_119228808

Whataboutery.

I've yet to see a dog get into a car and drive itself to a beach for a walk.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119229356#Comment_119229356

No we can’t be saying things like that. We’re too self entitled, as Loueze elegantly pointed out

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119229135#Comment_119229135

You don’t need to start telling lies in the thread when trying to get your point across though. Ruins it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119229529#Comment_119229529

What lies have I told? Please quote, and show your proof.

Do you normally resort to this kind of utterly immature behaviour and making unfounded accusations when people disagree with your point of view?

You know nothing about my life, past or present.

So I repeat - grow up.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119230506#Comment_119230506

The convenience of your answer being ‘yes’ to the other person’s question

MarkR

I think the OP has had their question answered. They can get onto the county council to report dogs being walked outside of the specified hours. We've also ascertained that some people want dogs on beaches, and some don't, regardless of the hour. If you're unhappy with the bylaws, speak to the council. We all agree no one wants dog **** between their toes. Anything outside of this can be taken elsewhere.

Thanks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119230631#Comment_119230631

That is not proof that I have told any lies.

I repeat, you know nothing about my life, past or present.

Blocked and now reported.

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119228755#Comment_119228755

My child is absolutely terrified of dogs.

I've no idea why. A puppy was brought into the house when they were around 18mths old and they were absolutely terrified. Ran into the arms of another relative and buried their face. Wouldn't even look at the dog, no amount of coaxing would work.

Went for a walk along howth harbour and a dog on one of those extendable leads went over to them and the poor child almost threw themselves into the sea trying to get away.....I had a harness on them and was holding their hand so they weren't going anywhere but it would have been nice if the dog owners pulled the dog away instead of jokingly saying the dog is friendly, while my 2 year old is very clearly distressed.

I don't have a fear of dogs but I don't like strange dogs coming near me or the kids. Children are unpredictable and if a dog is startled they can bite and then they will pay the ultimate price.

As for breaking the rules, there will always be people who think that the rules don't apply to them.

We have a "shur be grand" culture , which is why you'll see dogs off leads when they should be on them, cars parked on double yellows, cars parked on footpaths, non blue badge holders parked in disabled parking spots , obviously plenty more examples but they are at the top of my head.

So the way I look at it if you condone one law being broken you can't get on a high horse over another law being broken (law might not be the right work but you get the point). Just because you don't have an issue with it, or you think it's a stupid law, doesn't take away from the fact your non adherence to the law may negatively impact someone else.

Slightly Kwackers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058249905/dogs-on-beaches

While I have every sympathy, dogs fouling a sandy area is not a high concern to me.

The rotting detritus that is left by the tide might not be too healthy either and the beach is washed every twelve hours.

Obviously other wrongs do not justify what is offensive, but on a global level the amount of plastic on the beach is frankly of more concern to me given the quantity, extent of its spread and the fact that even with the UV that pysically degrades it to microscopic levels, chemically it is still a problem. I would be only too confident that the recognisable plastics in the human body considerably outnumber the doggysplodge particle count.

My personal strong dislike here in Kerry are windsufers that cannot be bothered to walk a couple of hundred meters. They bring SUV's onto the beach and convert what was once an idyllic untouched quiet area into something resembling an Aldi car park. These people do not give a damn about others and open up the access points to coastal erosion and here in particular cause sand to be swept across the road causing those that slow to risk having to borrow a shovel and those that develop the speed to get across the small hill of sand often getting quite a surprise to meet someone coming from the opposite direction with the same idea.

Of course come the summer, one or two vehicles parked up seems to be an open invitation to the picnickers and everyone else who cannot be bothered to walk.

So really they would all be better off on an Ald car park to be near the burgers and loads of the motor vehicles they like so much.

So dog excrement? bring some with you if you are here for some quiet coastal walks, if it deters windsurfers and other people wanting to wreck the place here, it will be welcomed.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119230943#Comment_119230943

Thank god you've blocked me.

In regard to the posts on the thread, in the end of the day, people cannot be saying others are being self-entitled of 'Karens' when the bye-laws are literally there

It's not fair on people who want to use the beach when it is expected that there'll be no dogs on them. not only the dogshit, the barking etc, but simple things too like the potential of a dog running at you/your ball if it's off its leash, people with fears of dogs etc.