COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, February 08, 2021
MOTION NO. 1
MOTION: Councillor E. O'Brien
Mayors Business
That the Chief Executive make a statement on the policy of this County Council in relation to the treatment of animals in our care and what steps if any can be taken to inform future policies in this regard
REPORT:
South Dublin County Council has a statutory requirement under the Control of Horses Act and the Control of Dogs Act.
CONTROL OF HORSES
Under the Control of Horses Act, 1996, all local authorities are responsible for the control of horses in their areas. In accordance with the provisions of this Act, South Dublin County Council's Control of Horses Byelaws, 2014 were made on 10th February 2014 and implemented with effect from 12th March 2014. These Byelaws are actively enforced and provide the Council with tools to deal with issues which impact negatively on communities and animals alike.
The legislation associated with the Control of Horses Act 1996 is currently under review at Central Government level, following this review and any subsequent amendments to this legislation which ensue, a review of the Council's Control of Horse Bye laws will be then carried out.
Problems associated with keeping horses in an urban area may include neglect and cruelty to the animals, damage to public property including parks, sports pitches and grass verges, danger posed to public safety and general nuisance posed by presence of horses in public places.
South Dublin County Council has a proven track record in the effective management of this service and works closely with the DSPCA in monitoring horses from an animal welfare perspective within South Dublin County.
All reports of loose/stray horses which are received from elected representatives, members of the public and Council staff are considered in a timely manner and, as appropriate, are referred to the contractor engaged by the Council for the provision and operation of the horse seizure service and horse pound facility.
Statistics in relation to horse seizures nationally are available from the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine through the following link: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/animalwelfare/controlofhorses/
The Dublin Region Horse Welfare Working Group was established by South Dublin County Council in August 2017 in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine; Dublin City Council; Fingal County Council; Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and An Garda Síochána. The group was established to develop a concerted collaborative programme aimed at promoting and facilitating responsible horse ownership across the Dublin region.
The membership of the group includes:
Dublin Local Authorities: South Dublin County, Dublin City, Fingal County & Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County.
Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine
An Garda Síochána
DSPCA
Fettercairn Youth Horse Project
Clondalkin Equine Club
Traveller Development Groups
UCD Veterinary Services
The group meets regularly, with the most recent meeting held on 21st January 2021. The next meeting is scheduled for the 18th March 2021.
The work of the group includes:
Improving Animal Welfare through increased liaison with key stakeholders
Increasing education and awareness through planned programmes delivered at equestrian centres
Minimising indiscriminate breeding through regulated supervised castration programmes
South Dublin County Council receives subvention from the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) for its the delivery of the service under the Control of Horses Act 1996, specifically in relation to the cost of seizures. The sum of €269,200.00 is provided in the adopted annual budget for the administration and management of the service in South Dublin County in 2021.
Ballyowen Equine Centre:
The facility was developed by South Dublin County Council in collaboration with Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Clondalkin Equine Club in order to address the keeping of horses in an unregulated and uncontrolled manner resulting in serious animal welfare and public safety issues which were a cause of concern for both the Council, Gardaí, central government and the communities of these areas. The facility, which opened in January 2017 gives young horse owners the opportunity to take responsibility and care for their animals in a safe environment.
South Dublin County Council continues to support the facility, which is currently occupied by Clondalkin Equine Club under licence.
CONTROL OF DOGS
South Dublin County Council employs two full time Dog Wardens. Ashton Dog Pound and Warden Service currently provides the Council with a Dog Pound Service.
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"
The existing contract continues to be monitored and reviewed as part of contract management and oversight. Policies and procedures are regularly reviewed, including those relating to animal welfare matters
The contract provides for services to South Dublin County Council including:
Acceptance of surrendered dogs
Managing reclaims
Rehoming in accordance with policy
Monthly reports to SDCC
Notify Dog Warden of surrendered or seized dogs detained by Gardaí
Access for Council representatives at any time
The pound is regularly inspected by Council staff. In addition, the Council’s veterinary Inspectors carry out regular unannounced inspections, at least monthly. As part of these inspections, arrangements in place for the welfare of the dogs including accommodation, nutrition, veterinary care, and exercise are regularly reviewed and discussed with pound management. Improvements to the facilities have been carried out during the current contract and have been documented.
Ashton Pound Service has a good working relationship with the DSPCA, and any dogs taken into the Pound which require veterinary care are treated by the DSPCA. 24-hour access to veterinary care is provided for all dogs in the Pound. The pound operator works with the public and several rescue groups to achieve a high level of rehoming. In 2019 94% of stray, abandoned or unwanted dogs from the South Dublin Administrative Area were either reclaimed by their owner or rehomed.
Ongoing training for Pound staff and Council staff is provided through several sources including attending training seminars and conferences arranged by the Department of Agriculture & Department of Rural and Community Development with updates on legislative changes and through liaison with other Local Authorities Dog Warden services.
The sum of €472,300 is provided in the 2021 adopted annual budget for expenditure in respect of Control of Dogs activities, of which approximately €150,000 is provided for the provision of the pound services.
The Invitation to Tender for the Provision of Dog Pound and Related Services for the South Dublin Administrative Area was published on etenders.gov.ie on the 4th of January 2021. The closing date for the receipt of tender submissions is the 10th February 2021. It is envisaged that the evaluation of tenders received will take place promptly after the closing date.