Thumbs-down for puppy enclosure proposal at Griffeen Valley dog park

By Maurice Garvey

A PROPOSAL for a puppy enclosure in the dog park in Griffeen Valley in Lucan has been given the thumbs-down by South Dublin County Council.

At this months Lucan Area Committee meeting of SDCC Councillors Danny O’Brien (SF) and Ruth Nolan (PBP) both asked that the committee look into introducing a pilot puppy enclosure for puppies up to the age of 26 weeks for socialising them with other puppies.

The council replied that while a separate enclosure for puppies would have benefits “it would be difficult to achieve a successful outcome in the absence of a system to police it”.

The council also pointed out that with the differing sizes of various breeds, it may not be appropriate for them to mix and they pointed out that, apart from signage, there would be little to prevent fully grown dogs from accessing the enclosure.

The council recommended that the “most appropriate course of action in this instance would be for dog owners to introduce their puppies to dog runs when they consider that they are ready for this experience” and that they should attend puppy training classes.