ROGUE DOG OWNERS FORCE GAA TO FENCE OFF PITCH

Kilcullen GAA has been forced to fence off pedestrian access to the training pitch beside CPC because dog owners consistently ignore signs asking them not to bring their animals onto the pitch, writes Brian Byrne. In addition to leaving poo on a playing pitch that can have children as young as six using it, the dogs dig holes in the pitch drainage channels, which can potentially result in player ankle injuries.

"We have been forced to hire a contractor to erect fencing to close off pedestrian access points around the pitch," says Kilcullen GAA's Martin Murphy, who adds that a large number of dogs are being brought onto the field. "Their owners seem to think the pitch is an open public green for them to let their dogs off leads."

He also noted that the dog-owner in the background of the picture above has regularly refused to engage with club members who have asked them to obey the restriction. "The grounds are kept very well by volunteers who shouldn’t be subjected to rudeness when they politely ask people to remove their dogs." 

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