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Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Logo

08/12/2022

Guide Dog Park Hour gets a Round of A-Paws

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has allocated an hour a day in their Dog Parks specifically for the exclusive use of guide dogs to exercise freely.

 

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has allocated an hour a day in their Dog Parks specifically for the exclusive use of guide dogs to exercise freely. The Council’s Dog Parks are located in Antrim Castle Gardens and Valley Park, Newtownabbey.

The proposal was bought to the Council by a guide dog owner and ‘My Sighted Guide’ volunteer from Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. This permits guide dogs the freedom to enjoy one section of the dog park without their leads on between 10am – 11am daily.

The dog parks currently offer two separate areas for larger and smaller dogs. Signage detailing the arrangement will be installed to remind other users to give preference to guide dogs at that time.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross, said,

“Introducing a dedicated daily hour for Guide Dogs in our dog parks is a great initiative, it will allow guide dogs who are invaluable to their owners a chance to enjoy exercise without being restricted by a lead.

“As a Council, we pride ourselves in providing inclusive facilities and services to our residents and this dog park is a further example of this.”