Dogs face new restrictions in Antrim and Newtownabbey borough under Council proposals
- Michelle Weir (Local Democracy Reporter)
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
A public consultation will commence was launched recently on a proposed change to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Dog Control Orders, which would see bans extended to two commemorative gardens.
The Coronation Garden at Hazelbank Park in Newtownabbey and the Platinum Jubilee Garden at Antrim Castle Gardens are set to be included among locations in the borough where dogs are prohibited.
Currently in Antrim, dog bans apply to council-owned play parks, sports pitches, playing fields, tennis courts, bowling greens, and golf courses. In Newtownabbey, dogs are excluded from specific areas in some parks, playing fields, and playing surfaces.
Additional proposed exclusions include the crematorium, sensory gardens, and allotments.
Cemeteries, which were previously designated as dog-free zones by the legacy Antrim Borough Council, are now proposed to be reclassified as ‘dogs on leads’ areas, aligning with the existing Newtownabbey policy.
The local authority has eight Dog Control Orders currently in place, covering areas where dogs must be kept on leads or are excluded altogether. If the new proposals are approved, there will no longer be a specified lead length for dog walkers anywhere in the borough.
A report presented to the borough council’s Operations Committee, which met at Antrim Civic Centre in June, stated:
“The aim is to ensure a balance is achieved between the interests of dog owners and those impacted by dog-related activities.”
Councillors were previously told that Dog Control Orders provide “a basis to deal with dog fouling, nuisance dogs, and the protection of children and others using public spaces and facilities”.
“While the majority of dog owners are responsible, the Dog Control Orders establish guidelines for dogs within a given area, offering a balance between areas where they can be off leads, areas where they are required to be kept on a lead, or restricted from specific areas,” councillors were advised.
In recent years, two dedicated dog parks have been established at Antrim Forum and Valley Park in Newtownabbey, offering space for off-lead exercise.
In 2022, the Operations Committee agreed that guide dogs could have exclusive use of a section of the borough’s dog parks daily between 10am and 11am.
Speaking at the June meeting, Michael Laverty, Director of Sustainability Operations, said:
“There are a number of new areas to be added to the proposed list of dog control areas.
“We will start the public process to get feedback from residents and bring a report back to council.”
Antrim Sinn Féin Councillor Lucille O’Hagan proposed noting the outcome of the review of the existing Dog Control Orders, which had been undertaken in line with guidance from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
The motion was seconded by Ballyclare DUP Councillor Lewis O’Boyle.
Tap the button below to visit the Council website site for more on the proposed changes and for an opportunity to have your say. The consultation closes on 6 August 2025 at 5pm.