No Mow May no more as Offaly green is cut after dog injured by broken bottle

A green area in Edenderry where grass was being allowed to grow as part of the ‘No Mow May' campaign is being cut this week after a dog was injured.

An Edenderry resident expressed her frustration and anger earlier this week after her dog was injured by a broken glass bottle in the long grass near her home at Gilroy Avenue in the town.

The dog was running in the long grass when she suddenly yelped after “hopping” onto a broken bottle. She has now paid out over €1,000 to vets and took issue with the grass growing wild. 

Since the story was first reported by the Offaly Express on Tuesday, contractors have moved in with a tractor and are in the process of mowing the site. 

The grass had been growing long before May but was being left untouched throughout most of May as part of the ‘No Mow May' initiative supported by Offaly County Council. The scheme aims to increase biodiversity and pollination.

These pictures taken before mowing started show the extent of the overgrowth:

Resident Allison Mitchell whose dog was injured feared a child could be injured in the area with hidden hazards.

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

“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.

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“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.

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