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Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Swift action of Louth dog wardens praised following XL Bully reports
Louth County Council dog wardens were praised for their response to reports of 'dangerous dogs' roaming in Muirhevnamor. Dundalk councillor, Kevin Meenan, had raised the issue last week, following a number of incidents in the area, including one where a dog reported to be an XL Bully, had run on to a public area where children had been playing. Speaking at the July meeting of Louth County Council, Cllr. Meenan said he 'wanted to praise the work of dog wardens' for their response to these incidents. "We had two issues, one involved an XL Bully and another breed. The dog wardens were very prompt in their actions, very swift, and great at communicating back about the action they had taken.' "It is not an easy job they do,' said Cllr. Meenan. 'It is a very difficult job they have, and they get a lot of abuse for what they do as well. I think it is important to acknowledge the work they do.' Director of Services at Louth County Council, David Hanratty, acknowledged the comments praising dog wardens 'and the tough job they do.'
Irish Independent
16-07-2025
- Irish Independent
‘Panic' in Dundalk estate as dog roaming among playing kids may have been XL Bully
The Argus understands the dog escaped from a property in the Doolargy area of Muirhevnamor, and ran out on to a public space. Local councillor, Kevin Meenan, said he had received 'numerous calls from residents' on Tuesday morning, with some recalling 'panic' when the dog was spotted. "There was a lot of shouting at kids to get inside as local people believed it was an XL Bully.' He explained that people living locally believe the dog is owned by a resident of the Doolargy area. "This was a potentially dangerous incident. We all know the risks that XL Bully dogs come with, especially when children are around.' New regulations under the Control of Dogs Act were introduced in 2024 governing XL Bully breeds. It is now illegal to import, breed, sell or re-home XL Bullies in Ireland. It is also illegal to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate. Cllr. Meenan called for greater monitoring of the area by dog wardens from Louth County Dog Pound. The incident followed concerns raised by Cllr. Meenan at the July meeting of Dundalk Municipal District where he reported other 'dangerous dogs' which he said had been 'roaming free' in Muirhevnamor, 'leaving children afraid to walk to school.' He said he believed these dogs, which have been seen in Muirhevnamor, were likely from both private houses and council houses. 'I just wanted to flag this up, as we can't have dangerous dogs roaming the streets.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more He highlighted fears among local people that these dogs 'could be vicious' and that they were 'leaving young people afraid to walk to school, and people afraid to walk to mass' The Argus contacted Louth County Council for a response to the issues raised by Cllr. Meenan at the Dundalk Municipal meeting. A spokesperson said: 'This matter is currently the subject of an active investigation. Our dog wardens have been patrolling and monitoring the area over recent weeks. We encourage any members of the public who witness roaming dogs or observe any suspicious activity to report it to the Louth County Council Dog Warden Service by calling 042 932 4345 or emailing vets@ Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Packaging manufacturers worried by 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum
This story was originally published on Packaging Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Packaging Dive newsletter. Packaging manufacturing and metals trade groups so far are not in favor of the steel and aluminum tariff increases that President Donald Trump announced Friday. Trump unveiled plans to raise tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50%, up from the 25% that took effect in March. The doubled rates are slated to be implemented Wednesday. These tariffs, which are not affected by last week's court ruling blocking many levies, are intended to further protect the U.S. steel industry, Trump said Friday during a visit to a Pittsburgh steel factory to recognize Japan-based Nippon Steel's pending acquisition of U.S. Steel. But some groups say other U.S. businesses in metals supply chains wil be harmed, with these businesses — and consumers — likely suffering consequences such as increased costs. Association members 'strongly oppose any action' that would raise steel and aluminum tariffs to 50%, said Can Manufacturers Institute President Robert Budway, in a statement. 'Doubling the steel tariff will further increase the cost of canned goods at the grocery store. This cost is levied upon millions of American families relying on canned foods picked and packed by U.S. farmers, food producers, and can makers.' Following the 25% tariff announcement earlier this year, several metal packaging manufacturers, including Ball and Crown, expressed concern about increased costs from the duties and passing the hikes down to already price-stressed consumers. The duties also affect other metal packaging manufacturers, such as for caps and closures, foils and industrial steel drums. The Aluminum Association also said in an emailed statement Monday that it appreciates Trump's 'continued focus on strengthening the U.S. aluminum industry,' but these tariffs could have unintended consequences. Association members will continue working with the Trump administration to increase domestic production, said Matt Meenan, vice president of external affairs at the Aluminum Association. 'However, aluminum and steel are different.' 'Tariffs alone will not increase U.S. primary aluminum production nor support the $10 billion invested by the mid-and-downstream industry over the past decade,' Meenan said. 'We need significant new sources of reliable, low-cost electricity and an all-of-the-above policy approach to keep and collect more domestic aluminum scrap.' AA is in touch with the Trump administration to better understand the details of the levies, Meenan said. 'We urge the administration to take a tailored approach that reserves high tariffs for bad actors — such as China — that flood the market and includes carve outs for proven partners — such as Canada. Doing so will ensure the U.S. economy has the access to the aluminum it needs to grow while we work with the administration to increase domestic production.' CMI similarly seeks a more tailored approach, with Budway saying the stated plan 'plays into the hands of China and other foreign canned food producers, which are more than happy to undercut American farmers and food producers.' This risks U.S. food security, Budway said. 'We are asking President Trump for targeted tariff relief, on tin mill steel and aluminum produced by our allies and used in the production of cans that are made in America.' Budway further explained that domestic tin mill steel producers made a 'series of unfortunate decisions over the past eight years' that resulted in 'dramatic cuts that have decreased U.S. production of the specialized steel used in can making by 75%.' Therefore, domestic can makers and canned food producers now import nearly 80% of tin mill steel from foreign trade partners, he said. Meanwhile, foreign leaders are examining whether to implement countertariffs or other measures. The European Commission 'strongly' regrets the surprise doubling of tariffs, BBC reported. The commission said Monday that it will make a case this week for the United States to reduce or eliminate all announced tariffs, including those on steel and aluminum, Reuters reports. The EU previously imposed, and then suspended, countertariffs on $24 billion of U.S. imports due to the earlier metal duties. Recommended Reading Trump to increase steel, aluminum tariffs to 50% Sign in to access your portfolio
