COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Tuesday, May 07, 2019
QUESTION NO. 7
QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney
To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the contract with Ashton Dog Pound; to provide statistics on the dog warden and pound service for 2019; and to make a statement on the matter.
REPLY:
The Control of Dogs Act 1986, Section 15(2) provides for the establishment and maintenance of "one or more shelters for dogs seized, accepted or detained under any of the provisions of this Act" and authorises the local authority to "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"
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, which was initially for a period of twelve months with an option to extend for up to two further periods of twelve months, is currently due to expire on 31st December 2019.
The contract provides for the following in respect of the South Dublin 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 / euthanised dogs
- Notify Dog Warden of surrendered or seized dogs detained by Gardaí
Not included in the contract:
- Dog Warden Service
- Pound does not issue notices under the Control of Dogs Act
- Pound does not issue Dog Licences (National System in place)
The pound operator works with the public and a number of rescue groups to avhieve a high level of rehoming. Statistics in respect of Q1 2019 are as follows:
|
No. Dogs in Pound on 31/12/2018 |
16 |
|
No. Stray/Surrendered Dogs entering the Pound Q1 2019 |
100 |
|
No. Dogs Reclaimed by the Owner |
22 |
|
No. Dogs Rehomed |
72 |
|
No. Dogs Euthanised |
10 |
|
No. Dogs that Died Naturally |
0 |
|
No. Dogs Still in the Pound end Q1 2019 |
12 |
The pound receives regular, unannounced inspections from the Council's Veterinary Inspector. In 2018 15 inspections were undertaken by the Council's veterinary team; four inspections have been carried out to date in 2019.