COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, September 09, 2024
QUESTION NO.33
QUESTION: Councillor E. Ó Broin
To ask the CEO to describe the resources assigned to the Dog Warden section of SDCC.
REPLY:
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:
- responding to complaints relating to dogs not under effectual control and/or dangerous dogs
- carrying out of licence checks and the initiation of enforcement proceedings where possible
- seizure and collection of unwanted/stray dogs and removal to the dog pound.
The Dog Wardens can be contacted on 01 414 9213.
Administrative support for the Dog Warden Service is provided by 2.25 Whole Time Equivalent staff. The support provided includes (not exhaustive):
- dealing with complaints and queries from and referring to the Dog Warden where appropriate
- providing general advice to the public in relation to licencing, barking dogs
- following up on unpaid fines, and preparing files for prosecutions where appropriate
- reconciling and maintaining dog licence records
Dog Shelter facilities provided under contract with Midland Animal Care Ltd., are located at Dublin County Dog Shelter, Lyons Road, Newcastle, Co. Dublin.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD on the 25th of July 2024) announced funding of €2 million for local authorities to support the resourcing of dog warden services from 2025.
The funding recognises the increased demands in the area of dog control and the need to ensure resources on the ground to enforce the pending ban on XL Bully dogs.