COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

Cathaoirleach's Business

"That the Manager provides a copy of the Council's written policy on the welfare of dogs and how it relates to the practice of providing for stray and surrendered dogs together with a report on how it relates to legislation in this area and how it is applied in practice especially in how the Council responds to and deals with stray and surrendered dogs within the Lucan Area Committee, the role of private companies/servers/kennels, the role of voluntary animal welfare organisations, the total cost to the Council per annum over the past three years, what room if any for improvement of the service and that a discussion take place on the matter."

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council implements government policy on the control of dogs through the enforcement of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, as amended, in respect of the seizure of stray and the acceptance of unwanted dogs by the Council's two full-time Dog Wardens.  Following a public procurement competition in 20l3,   the Council awarded a contract to Ashton Dog Pound for the provision of a dog pound facility. Ashton Dog Pound is required to adhere to best practice in standards and procedures relating to animal welfare and is subject to regular, unannounced inspections by the Council's Veterinary Inspectors. 

Prior to the commencement of the contract,  South Dublin County Council developed a Re-homing Policy in consultation with the Council's Veterinary Inspectors. This policy requires Ashton Dog Pound to maintain existing relationships with animal welfare groups to facilitate the rehoming of stray and unwanted dogs. In addition, the Council provides an annual contribution to a number of animal welfare bodies. 

The annual cost of the Control of Dogs function for South Dublin County Council for the 3 years from 2010 to 2012 is as follows:

2010 - €393,523

2011: €413,910

2012: €483,459

Savings are anticipated in 2013 as a result of the new contract for the provision of a dog pound facility.