COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 08, 2019

QUESTION NO. 5

QUESTION: Councillor S. Holland

Motion 54730 was passed in this chamber in September 2017 asking the Chief Executive to write to all local authorities asking their policy on council tenants keeping racing pigeons, in order to better inform the members so we could begin drawing up bye-laws. Please report on the outcome of this. 

REPLY:

Racing Pigeons are not permitted to be kept by a tenant at a Council rented dwelling as it would breach of Section 14 of the Tenancy Agreement which states:

"The Tenant shall during his tenancy, keep the premises and every part thereof in a clean, proper and sanitary state and shall not allow any refuse, nuisance or offensive matter to accumulate on any portion thereof. He shall keep the plot free from weeds and otherwise properly maintain and keep the gardens in a clean and tidy condition. He shall not plant any trees or shrubs which shall be or become injurious to the premises or to any adjacent property or allotment, or cut down any trees without the permission of the Council. He shall keep every hedge forming part of the plot properly cut and trimmed. The Tenant shall not keep any horses, poultry, pigs, birds or other animals (other than domestic pets which are not likely to create a nuisance or become a source of annoyance) on the premises or in the vicinity thereof.

If domestic pets are kept by the Tenant he shall ensure that no nuisance is thereby caused and the sheds, shelters or yards where such domestic pets are housed shall be properly constructed, paved and drained. All domestic pets shall be kept under control, confined or tied. The Tenant shall not trespass on any adjoining premises or allow trespass on his own premises".

Initial research on foot of the previous determined that there are no Bye-Laws in existence in any of the Dublin Local Authorities nor is there any policy relating to the keeping of pigeons in Council properties apart from what is contained in their Tenancy Agreements which are similar to the above.  This position was considered to be representative of all local authorities and accordingly no further relevant information supporting such bye-laws is available.