Alarm at Cork beach over the killing and mauling of swans by dogs running loose
CorkmanCork County Council is to consider installing signs at a popular Blue Flag beach near Cork city where dogs that were off the leash killed one swan and mauled another within what is a Special Protection Area (SPA) for wildlife.
In a motion brought before this week’s meeting of Carrigaline Municipal District, Cllr Audrey Buckley called for signage to inform people to keep their dogs on the lead when they’re in an SPA, such as Fountainstown’s Back Beach. The Fianna Fail councillor said a swan was recently killed by dogs at Fountainstown and another was injured and is in the care of the National Parks & Wildlife Service.
“There are so many people now that come down to Fountainstown and they open the car door and the dog is gone. A lot of people who live in the area don’t realise it’s an SP area and they don’t know what an SP area means. Such signage would raise awareness of the protected status of these areas and help prevent further harm to wildlife,” she said.
The motion was seconded by Cllr Jack White who said he has family living in Fountainstown. “They tell me that the number of breeding pairs of swans has decreased rapidly over the years because of the potential for human interference or dog attacks. It's quite upsetting for people when they actually witness a dog attack on swans. I've seen one myself and it's not nice.”
“I think there should be signage that people keep their dogs under control, it's important to remind them of that. There’s a very impactful sign there about tidal patterns and which currents and so on, I think a sign of equal size and impact would be very welcome,” the Fine Gael councillor said.
Carrigaline Municipal District Officer Denise Kidney said that signage will be reviewed and erected in appropriate areas for visitors to Fountainstown. The popular strand is located west of the entrance to Cork harbour, around 15 km from Cork city, and consists of a Front Beach and a Back Beach around 700m apart.