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Springer spaniel sniffs out Mayo water leaks | Connaught Telegraph

By Staff reporter · Connaught Telegraph · 14 July 2026

A SPRINGER spaniel has been sniffing out water leaks in Mayo.

Robin's latest work shift took place in Foxford, where local Councillor Neil Cruise reported on a highly successful mission.

He joined the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council online yesterday, a substantial leak having occurred outside his home.

Five-year-old springer spaniel Robin, who smells out chlorine, was deployed and had the leak detected within 15 minutes, he told colleagues, with Uisce Éireann then carrying out repairs.

Councillor Cruise said Robin has also done some work on the islands, detecting four leaks on Clare Island.

On making a detection, she lies down over the pipes, and equipment is then used to pinpoint where the leak is.

As a thank you, it was arranged to get her groomed when she had her work done, said Councillor Cruise.

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Reporting by Staff reporter for Connaught Telegraph, funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Republished by News Room under the scheme’s reuse permission.

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