More time to have say on Dog Orders

The Borough Council has also taken out advertisements in local newspapers to further underline the scope of the plans and to advise that people can have their say on them until 5pm on July 14.

It also confirms that ‘The Dogs Exclusion Play Parks and Playing Fields (Mid and East Antrim Borough Council) Order 2015’, has been withdrawn from the current process but that it will be revised and revisited in the coming months.

The high profile newspaper adverts – which have been signed-off personally by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Chief Executive, Anne Donaghy – also state that “all comments made to date remain valid and will still be considered as part of this process”

Proposed Orders being consulted on include:

Fouling on Land by Dogs, which will allow authorised officers to issue fixed penalties of up to £80 rather than the maximum of £50 afforded by the Litter (NI) Order 1994.

Dogs on Lead by Direction, which will enable an authorised Council officer to require dogs be put on leads where they consider it appropriate or necessary.

Dogs on Leads Promenades and Cemeteries, which will require that dogs be kept on a lead of no more than 1.8 metres (six feet) in length whilst on promenades and in cemeteries.

Dogs on Leads (Carnlough, Ballygally, Browns Bay Beaches), requiring dogs to be kept on a lead of not more than 1.8 metres (six feet) on the listed beaches from 11am until 6pm from June 1 to August 31 and on Public and Bank Holidays.

Dogs Exclusion (Carnfunnock Country Park) which sets out to exclude dogs from the Family Fun Zone, Golf course, walled garden and maze within Carnfunnock Country Park; and, the Dogs on Leads (Carnfunnock Country Park), requiring that dogs be kept on leads whilst in certain parts of Carnfunnock Country Park.

Additional drop-in sessions are also planned across the borough in order to allow as many residents as possible to have their say and these include The Braid on June 24 from 4-9pm. -A drop in session was held last Wednesday in Ardeevin from 9am-6pm.

Detailed maps relating the proposals can be viewed at the Braid until July 10 and copies can also be accessed via the Council’s website www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Residents can attend any of the drop in sessions or can also email comments to [email protected]