Mayo councillor verbally abused by owner of uncontrolled dog

A councillor found herself receiving verbal abuse when she confronted the owner of a large unleashed dog that wasn't controlled by its owner at Lough Lannagh in Castlebar.

A well known dog lover, Councillor Donna Sheridan was in the company of her own pets and also some children when the incident occurred last Saturday.

She described some of the things shouted at her and other people in the area as 'shameful'.

The dog was running around the playground where there were small children present, she told colleagues at a municipal meeting.

It had bolted down from the old cemetery, its hair was up on its back, and it had its two paws on her at one stage. The owner couldn't get the dog back on the lead.

When Councillor Sheridan requested he put the animal on a lead she was verbally abused.

She described the situation as really uncomfortable in the middle of the day, with a lot of young children around.

There is video footage of the incident, which will be brought to the attention of the dog wardens.