Hair of the dog – canine bath complaint

A 'CUPPA' loving member of Mayo County Council was disgusted recently to see up to 10 dogs being deliberately washed by their owners in Lough Carra.

Councillor Al McDonnell didn't feel like turning on the tap and having his afternoon cup of tea after witnesssing the dogs being scrubbed up on the lake shoreline.

The 4,000 acre lake is the local water source for up to 400 houses in the Ballintubber, Clogher, Ballyglass, Moorehall and Robeen areas.

Councillor McDonnell, who lives in Moorehall, fears that the dog-washing practice could contaminate household water supplies.

“People are bringing their dogs out from town to be washed in the lake. I tell you, it should not be allowed,” he complained at a meeting of Castlebar Municipal Disttrict.

Councillor McDonnell made his remarks during a discussion on a notice of motion put down by the cathaoirleach of the Municipal District, Councillor Michael Kilcoyne.

Councillor Kilcoyne's motion, which was deferred following a lengthy discussion to the next meeting, called for a bylaw banning dogs from the New Cemetery, Castlebar, and that the necessary enforcement and appropriate fines be put in place.

Councillor McDonnell suggested an amendment – that the Municipal District introduce a bylaw banning dogs from all cemeteries within its jurisdiction and from public watercourses from which public water is being extracted.

Councillor Frank Durcan expressed doubt that the dog washing practice posed much of a threat to the quality of household water.

This country had a population of eight million during the Famine, he pointed out.

Councillor McDonnell responded: “But no water was being taken from Lough Carra during the Famine.”

The councillor called for a complete ban on dogs in graveyards.

Councillor Kilcoyne's motion was deferred for further consideration at a future Municipal District meeting.