Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is to hold a workshop examining dog control in public parks after a primary school class witnessed a dog kill a cat in Lurgan Park. The decision was taken at the council’s May meeting after a proposal from the then-Lord Mayor, Alderman Stephen Moutray.

Alderman Moutray said the class from King’s Park Primary School was present during the incident. He suggested the workshop should explore the possibility of providing off-lead dog runs and whether dogs should be kept on leads more generally. He warned the council could be negligent if it did not act.

Several councillors supported the move. Sinn Féin’s Catherine Nelson said she had previously asked for an investigation into a gated off-lead area in Lurgan Park and that her own dog is kept on a lead there because of unleashed dogs. Alderman Mark Baxter seconded the proposal, noting many dogs walked off-lead are not trained to recall.

Sinn Féin’s Paul Duffy recalled a separate incident where a woman’s dog was attacked by two out-of-control dogs and called for dog runs in Portadown’s People’s Park and Edenvilla Park. Alliance’s Peter Lavery pointed out the council already has a dog run at Craigavon Lakes but said it is poorly advertised.

Sinn Féin’s Mary O’Dowd described an incident years ago when a large dog jumped on her baby daughter in a pram and stressed dogs should be on leads near lakes. DUP’s Peter Haire said a classroom assistant from the school had contacted him about the Lurgan Park attack and mentioned a successful dog run in Dungannon Park.

DUP’s Kyle Moutray referred to dog parks at Stormont, Ormeau Park and Antrim Castle Gardens, arguing the borough is underutilising such facilities. Independent Kate Evans said she had been calling for dog parks since becoming a councillor and that there are many irresponsible dog owners.

SDLP’s Thomas O’Hanlon suggested engaging with dog-owning groups and recalled past plans for a dog run in Darkley Forest. Alliance’s Robbie Alexander linked the issue to dog fouling and frequent off-lead dogs at Kernan recreation ground. TUV’s Keith Ratcliffe said constituents at Gosford Forest Park have reported their dogs being attacked by unleashed dogs and urged the council to consider a lead requirement.

Alderman Moutray concluded that other councils had already taken action and the borough must do the same to prevent a more serious incident.