COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 14, 2019

MOTION NO. 9

MOTION: Councillor B. Leech

That this Council calls on the government to fund and construct a publicly owned dedicated dog pound to service the four local authority areas.

REPORT:

The responsibility for the provision and maintenance of dog pounds lies with the Local Authority under Section 15 (2) of The Control of Dogs Act 1986, which states that:

“Every local authority shall establish and maintain one or more shelters for dogs seized, accepted or detained under any of the provisions of this Act and may, with the consent of the Minister, enter into arrangements with any person for the provision and maintenance of such shelters and for the exercise by such person of the functions of the local authority under this Act in respect of the acceptance, detention, disposal and destruction of stray and unwanted dogs.”

There is no central government subvention for the functions undertaken by the Council under the Control of Dogs Act 1986 through which South Dublin County Council currently employs two full time Dog Wardens, and has a contract in place with David & Carol Stone t/a Ashton Dog Pound & Warden Services for the provision of pound services.

The contract Agreement is dated 1^st October 2017; 12 months initially with an option to extend for two further periods of 12 months. Contract expenditure per annum is €140K.

The contract provides for the following in respect of SDCC administrative area:

• Provision of sufficient pounds or shelters that meet with the requirements of the Council’s veterinary Inspector
• Access for Council representatives at any time
• Acceptance of surrendered dogs
• Managing reclaims
• Rehoming / euthanasia in accordance with policy
• Maintenance of Section 14 Register of seized Dogs
• Monthly reports to SDCC on rehomed / euthanized dogs
• Notify Dog Warden of surrendered or seized dogs detained by Gardaí

Not included:

• Dog Warden Service
• Pound does not issue notices under Control of Dogs Act.
• Pound does not issue Dog Licences (National System in place)

The pound receives regular unannounced inspections from the Council's Veterinary Inspector - 15 inspections have been undertaken by our veterinary team in 2018.

If the motion is passed, the contents shall be conveyed to the Department.