COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

QUESTION NO. 4

QUESTION: Councillor V. Casserly

"To ask the Chief Executive for figures for the number of prosecutions and fines issued for Dog Control/Fouling in the Lucan Area for 2015?"

REPLY:

While a breakdown by electoral area cannot be provided, the table below sets out the position for the County as a whole in 2015 under the Control of Dogs Act 1986, as amended, and the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998. 

Type of Fine	No. of Fines Issued	No. of Prosecutions
Section 2, Control of Dogs Act 1986 (for keeping a dog without licence)	764	22
Section 9, Control of Dogs Act 1986 (for dog not being under effectual control)	21	15
Article 5, Control of Dogs Regs. 1998 (muzzling of certain breeds)	3	1
Article 5, Control of Dogs Regs. 1998 (inadequate leash/chain)	1	1

Dog fouling is an offence under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, as amended. The difficulty with enforcement of this particular section of the Act is the requirement for witness testimony, to report that the offence happened and that an identified person is the person in charge of the dog. In 2015, five fines were issued pursuant to Section 22, of which one was paid. Unfortunately, four had to be cancelled, due to unwillingness of witnesses to attend Court.