A dog park is under consideration for trial in a section of Carnfunnock Country Park, outside Larne.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Direct Services Committee has been told officers are “investigating the opportunity to trial an area in the park to be utilised as a dog park”.
“This will be implemented as a pilot project and reviewed regularly to ensure responsible use.”
Currently, dogs are not allowed in certain areas at Carnfunnock – the maze and walled garden; golf course; playground and family fun zone; activity centre and visitor centre.
Dogs must be kept on leads in car parks, caravan park, campsite, picnic area, games field and barbecue area.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has been reviewing its Dog Control Orders.
Knockagh Ulster Unionist Councillor Andrew Wilson said: “I would be keen to see the development of a stand-alone pet-friendly council facility in the area where dogs can run off the lead freely.”
An extension of Dog Control Orders would see dogs banned from council-owned playing surfaces including pitches multi-use games areas (MUGAs); golf courses and bowling greens etc if it is approved.
Dogs are already excluded from children’s play parks. This will now include Legg Park Play Park in Carrickfergus and Ahoghill Nature Play Park.
It will also mean that dogs must be kept on a lead at all times in car parks, allotments, marinas and paths.
The council has already ordered dogs to be kept on a lead in places such as cemeteries and Ballygally, Carnlough and Brown’s Bay beaches with the Portmuck beach in Islandmagee to be included.
Dogs will also have to be kept on a lead at Mid and East Antrim’s four war memorials and in car parks and grass areas adjacent to the borough’s promenades.