Dog handlers off to world championships
Two local dog handlers will be brushing up on their German having qualified to take part in a World Championship event for German Shepards in Germany later this year.
Peter McKenna and his dog Alpha and Sinead O’Connor and her dog Legend, both of whom come from the Roundwood area, secured first and second place at a recent qualification trial to earn their place at the WUSV IPO World Championships in Meppen in October.
The two dog handlers, who both come from the Roundwood area, are members of GSA Ireland, the national authority for working
German Shepherd dogs and part of the World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs, or WUSV.
An IPO event is like a canine triathlon, with dogs competing in the disciplines of tracking, obedience and protection.
The first phase of the event, tracking, was held in Athboy, and saw dogs follow a pre-laid track up to one hours old to find articles such as small pieces of wood or leather.
The obedience portion (which involves heelwork, retrieval over obstacles and distance control) and protection phase (which involves a search and controlled apprehension and escort of a pretend criminal) were held at the grounds of Newcastle GAA Club in late June.
Peter and Alpha earned the highest points for tracking and obedience, while Sinead and Legend got the highest score for protection, earning both teams a place at the world championships in Germany.
This is the second time Sinead and Legend are celebrating this year, having picked up the maximun tracking score of 100 points in tracking at the Irish National IPO Trial in Co Antrim in May. Irish Water Safety is appealing to the Wicklow public to swim at lifeguarded Beaches if possible and to take all the necessary safety precautions.
Five swimmers have already drowned in Ireland this year and the recent spell of scorching weather has seen people flocking to local beaches and other bathing spots.
The message from Phil O’Rourke, Wicklow Water Safety Development Officer, is a simple one - ‘ enjoy the sunshine but make sure you take care.’
You are advised to swim at lifeguarded waterways as listed at www.iws.ie. Also swim within your depth, parallel and close to the shore.
Supervise children at all times near water. Drownings can happen quickly and silently. Swim with others, never alone, at recognised, traditional safe bathing areas. Never use inflatable toys in open water or swim out after anything drifting. Also, never swim in the dark or late at night.
Almost 30 per cent of drowned victims will have consumed alcohol.