Posted on 03/07/2004 7:38:00 AM PST by aculeus
THE SEX craze known as 'dogging' is happening all over Ireland, with every county in Ireland boasting a hotspot where doggers can meet for sex.
Since the Stan Collymore scandal last week, the profile of the sexual activity has soared - but a leading doctor has warned that those involved are "sexaholics and sociopaths" who are at risk of STDs.
Dogging is a relatively new sexual practice that involves sex with strangers in public places - and dozens of Irish people take part in it every night.
The scandal surrounding former Premiership footballer Collymore - exposed as a dogger last week - has made the dubious practice even more popular amongst those who enjoy anonymous sex and those now introduced to it.
The former star Liverpool striker said that he was "obsessed" by having sex with strangers in public and admitted he had been doing it for two years.
It was the first time many people had ever heard of the unusual sexual activity, and confusion still surrounds what exactly goes on.
What is dogging? Where did it originate and how did it become so popular in Ireland?
Dogging - so named because those involved often claim they are leaving the house to go 'walking the dog' - is essentially having sex in a public place with strangers, and dogging sites can be found in semi-secluded beauty spots and car parks right across the country. In many cases, doggers do not use contraceptive protection.
Those involved travel to the site by car and meet up with like-minded others.
Some like to have sex and be watched, while others just like to watch and possibly join in later if the invitation is given. In short, dogging is a way for exhibitionists and voyeurs to indulge in their sexual obsession. It has developed over the past few years, fuelled by the increased use of the internet and text messaging which has made it easier to meet willing sex partners anonymously.
Those who go dogging usually meet up on the net, where there are a number of websites dedicated to the practice.
They provide information on the best places to go dogging around the country and doggers who want to meet can do so by posting messages on the bulletin board.
From here, doggers can exchange mobile phone numbers and then communicate by text message, often arranging a special signal amongst themselves so they can identify each other when they arrive on the scene.
A typical dogger meeting would involve a couple having sex in one car and a person alone in another car, watching from close range.
One website, which covers both Ireland and the UK, has 22,000 members, a good indication of how widespread the practice has become.
Another website, Irish Doggers, lists dogging spots all over Ireland, county by county. There are a number of dogging hotspots listed for almost every county, ranging from places such as lay-bys at the side of the road in Donegal to nude beaches in Brittas Bay to shopping centre car parks in big cities.
In the chatrooms, people arrange to meet in certain areas, with the times and destinations flashing up on screen. Those involved in the secret club seem to be on a high; they are euphoric with excitement at the thought of the night to come.
This is one of the classic signs of a sex addict and doggers show all the signs of sexual addiction, according to sexual health doctor Derek Freedman.
"This practice is for people who don't possess the personal skills to meet people in a social situation. They can hide behind emails and texts, have sex anonymously and their desire is satisfied.
"Of course the danger is that doggers are not using protection, so any disease will run through the group like wildfire. It is a practice for sociopaths and sexaholics. There is also the group who get a sexual thrill out of having sex in risky situations and this will appeal to them also."
Dozens? BFD. Thousands of San Francisco gays dog every night in so called bath houses. (but keep in mind Reagan caused aids to spread)
Do they have socialized medicine in Ireland? If so, it's going to take a big hit when these chickens come home to roost.
Yep, Bill Clinton dogged, and we hounded him for it.
Ummmm...when I say I've been doin' the 'dog' on it - it's just a colloquialism for drinking too much Guinness! Honest!!! ;-)
Danke.
Not to be confused with the Irish Rovers...
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