Kildare County Council told it should compel a landowner to sell a site for a dog park

Kildare County Council has been told it should compulsorily acquire land to develop a dog park.

A request came from Independent Ireland councillor Bill Clear for KCC to set up a “pop-up dog park” on the Fairgreen in Naas.

He also asked the council to conduct a survey of the dog owners “to assess the need and support for a permanent dog park in the area.”

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He was unimpressed with KCC’s response that it wasn’t going to do this because one was provided a number of years ago (in Monread Park) and it is not proposed to repeat the exercise.

Cllr Clear told a Naas Municipal District committee meeting that there are 10,000 dogs in the Naas area alone and people should be asked for their views on a dog park.

“We’re going to have to find one," he said, adding that land would otherwise have to be bought via a compulsory purchase order.

Cllr Carmel Kelly recalled that the original park was located close to houses and dogs in the nearby homes because aware of the presence of other animals the resultant noise “went off the charts.”

However, Cllr Anen Breen expressed opposition saying that “not all dogs can mix” and asking who will clean up after the animals leave and if the park would be covered by KCC’s insurance.

Naas Mayor Seamie Moore was also opposed, saying that owners are responsible for minding their pets den to look to KCC to do it

Cllr Fintan Brett said the Kerdiffstown Park recreation venue should be used as a dog park. “That’s the place for it; there is any amount of space there.”

KCC official Mark McLoughlin said a site of 1.5 acres is needed and the council could examine an alternative location.