COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor Alan Edge

In light of recent dog attacks on sheep on farmland adjacent to Kiltipper Park, that this Area Committee calls for immediate action to tackle this issue, including reinforcing boundaries and repairing fences and communicating the importance of dogs being on leashes through signage and social media.

REPORT:

The boundaries of Kiltipper Park were reviewed last year with some of the adjacent landowners and reinstatement was put in place where required as agreed. Further work will continue in this regard as part of Phase 2 of the Kiltipper Park works.

Funding for comprehensive signage for Kiltipper Park has recently been granted and will be implemented over the coming months. In advance of that, signage regarding the requirement for dogs to be kept under control is being manufactured and will be installed in Kiltipper Park in the coming weeks.

The Bye-Laws for Parks and Open Spaces 2011 came into force on the 1st August 2011 and are for the use, operation, protection, regulation and management of Parks and Open Spaces owned, controlled and managed by, or in the charge of South Dublin County Council.  

Section 4 of the Bye-Laws deals specifically with the control of dogs, while Section 8 and 9 deal with enforcement, penalties and fixed payment notices in relation to the contravention of any of the provisions of the Bye-Laws.

Park Rangers as employees of the Council are authorised to enforce the South Dublin County Council Bye-laws. In the event that a member or members of the public fail to co-operate with an instruction or direction of a Park Ranger, the next step, depending on the severity of the breach of the Bye-laws is to seek the assistance of SDCC's Dog Warden Service. An Garda Siochana may also be contacted to enforce the Bye-law. The Park Rangers are empowered to direct the public to comply with the Bye-laws and a frequent activity in this regard is to request members of the public to put dogs on a leash.

While the vast majority of dog owners act responsibility, the issue of animals being attacked has been raised in many parts of the country, including South Dublin County. Under the Control of Dogs Act 1986 , it is the responsibility of dog owners to ensure that they are in control of their dogs at all times.

The Council’s Dog Warden Service reports they are aware of one worrying incident this year in the Kiltipper area where two sheep were injured by a dog. This matter was resolved between the dog owner and the farmer who owns the sheep. There have been no sheep killing episodes reported to the Council’s Dog Warden Service this lambing season.

Dog attacks cause real and serious injury to sheep and can have a negative impact, both financially and emotionally, on the farmers involved and their families. Sheep worrying is a big issue for Sheep farmers at any time of the year, but it is hugely problematic when it happens during the lambing season (December to May approx.). In lambing season extra vigilance is required by dog owners. Any dog, including family pets can become involved in a sheep kill if we (humans) give them the opportunity. Any breed of dog can be involved in a sheep worrying/ killing episode. The Dog owner is liable for any damages arising. Dogs must always be kept under control.

South Dublin County Council currently employs two full time Dog Wardens within the administrative area.

The Dog Warden's role is the enforcement of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 as amended. This includes:

The Dog Wardens can be contacted on 01 414 9000.