The days of dogs on beaches in the city could a thing of the past next summer if controversial new byelaws get the go-ahead.

New dog control byelaws have been proposed, which will ban dogs on beaches from May to September, between the hours of 9am and 8pm. This will go before the full council for a final decision before the summer season next year.

The proposal was backed at a recent Environmental Policy meeting of Galway City Council. However, Cllr Mary Leahy has expressed concern that lifeguards should not be required to alert dog wardens to breaches of the byelaws. She said this practice could distract from the hugely important role of the lifeguard and would also give out the wrong message that these new byelaws would be haphazardly enforced.

Cllr Leahy put forward a proposal to employ students or casual employees during the summer months, who would enforce the dog byelaws along with litter laws, provision of information and general beach cleanliness. She has called on Galway County Council to follow suit and implement the same byelaws.

"The people in County Galway are entitled to the same standards on our beaches as those in the city," said Cllr Leahy.

"Furthermore, it would make for easier overall adherence and enforcement."

Meanwhile, Cllr Leahy has hit out at the "substandard and rusty" 30-year-old play facilities for the 6,000 people living in Renmore. She said Ballyloughaun beach could be the location for a new children's play facility, following ongoing representations to the city council.

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