'It could be a child' - Offaly resident fumes as dog is severely injured in long grass

An Edenderry resident has expressed her frustration and anger after her dog was injured by a broken glass bottle in long grass near her home. 

The incident happened last week at the top of Gilroy Avenue in the town when Allison Mitchell was out walking her beloved dog on a long lead. The dog was running in the long grass when she suddenly yelped after "hopping" onto a broken bottle.

"I've now paid over €1,000 and she could still lose her foot," Allison told us. The grass in the area is being allowed to grow wild as part of the 'No Mow May' initiative supported by Offaly County Council in a bid to increase biodiversity and pollination.

However, residents say the area has not been mowed for a long time with Allison telling us: "We all love bees but this is a standing joke now. It hasn't been cut long before May."

"No one can cut it with a normal mower now, it needs a tractor at this stage," she said.

"I love my doggie but this could have been a child's face with broken bottles and needles hidden in the grass," she added.

"My heart was broken Tuesday and I had to take unpaid leave off work and have seen the pain and heard the crying of my loyal dog. I would hate that to be a child.

READ NEXT: Gardaí set up six checkpoints in Edenderry amid major operation

"Any councillor knocking on doors from now on are going to meet my dog who is still touch and go regarding losing the foot if the tendons don't knit together."

She explained the extent of the dog's injuries, adding that "ligaments were severed as was a main artery." The much-loved pet has now undergone two surgeries and is being looked after at home.

Local Election candidate Fergus McDonnell, who lives in the area and is chairperson of the newly reconstituted Gilroy Avenue Residents' Association, also criticised the grass growing wild.

He said: "The grass is being let grow in line with council policy regarding improving biodiversity with the "No Mow May" policy as I understand it.

"The residents committee was reconstituted a few months ago and is not happy with the entire field being let go the way it is.
We chatted about it in the last few days, and I will be looking to have the field mowed promptly post June 1."

ABOVE: A picture of the same area back in 2009 when it was well kept