COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, September 09, 2024
QUESTION NO.43
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
To ask the Chief Executive would he consider extra dog wardens to address off lead dogs , dog fouling , barking issues and other dog control issues?
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.
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.
Under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, where faeces has been deposited by a dog in any place to which the section applies, the person in charge of the dog shall immediately remove the faeces and shall ensure that it is properly disposed of in a suitable sanitary manner.
The difficulty with enforcement of Section 22 is the requirement for witness testimony, to report that the offence happened and that an identified person is the person in charge of the dog. In the absence of such testimony, fines cannot be issued. The Council continues to encourage residence groups and/or individuals to assist the Litter Warden Service in this regard.
Complaints in relation to excessive barking should be made to the district court on the appropriate form. Section 25 of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 deals with the issue of nuisance due to barking dogs. Under Section 25 of this act a decision as to whether any case of dog barking constitutes a nuisance is a matter for the District court to decide upon.