Dog Control

Problems associated with dog control, including losses of livestock caused by marauding dogs, led to the passing of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986. The Act gave local authorities (County Councils and Borough Corporations) responsibility for operating dog control and licensing services with the power to appoint dog wardens, to provide shelters for stray and unwanted dogs, to seize dogs and to impose on-the-spot fines.

Stray or uncontrolled dogs pose a direct risk to the general public and the farming community from:

i) bites

ii) disease spread (Ringworm & Toxocariasis for example)

iii) danger to road traffic

iv) cause anxiety to adults and children who may have a fear of dogs.

v) worrying and attacking livestock particular sheep

vi) attacking other dogs

Stray dogs themselves can often suffer from malnourishment and disease due to their neglect. The domestic dog has a need for a human master to provide basic care and who they can trust. Galway County Council seeks to promote responsible dog ownership - the basis of which is licensing and control of dogs. In addition, Galway County Council advises that pet dogs are micro chipped by their owners.

Galway County Council administers this act in its functional area. Its dog warden’s duties include :

-          Seizing of stray dogs.
-          Checking for dog licences.
-          Care of seized dogs.
-          Re-homing of suitable dogs to suitable homes.
-          Liaising with members of the public who have concern about stray / dangerous / uncontrolled dogs.

In 2009, 426 dogs were surrendered or seized by Galway County Council. Of these, 69% were rehomed to good homes or reclaimed by their owners. 8843 individual dog licences were issued in County Galway in 2009.

Obligations for dog owners

Dog-owners are also reminded of their other obligations under The Control of Dogs Act.

- Dogs must be kept under effective control in a public place.- All dogs must wear a collar and tag bearing the name and address of the owner. - Certain breeds of potentially dangerous dogs must be kept on a short strong leash and muzzled whenever they are in a public place. (link to list below) - A person in charge of a dog must clean up when the dog fouls in a public place. Owners who fail to do so are liable to an ‘on-the-spot’ of €127.

There have been a number of serious incidents of attacks on sheep flocks in recent years, dog-owners are reminded to ensure their dogs are kept under effective control at all times. Dogs which are involved in sheep worrying may be shot by the flock-owner or may be seized and put down by the dog warden. The dog-owner is liable for damages in cases where sheep are killed or injured.

Dog Warden Contact Details :

Mr. Nicholas Byrne – 087 6993422 - West Galway

Mr. P.J. Tierney - 087 6431883 - East Galway

What Can I Do About Barking Dogs?

Excessive barking which causes a nuisance to any person is an offence. In a good neighbourly manner, let the dog's owner know how the barking affects you. They may not have realised what was happening. If that approach fails, a complaint about excessive barking should be made to the District Court.

Before you do this, you must first inform the dog owner, in writing, of your intention by completing a special form under the Control of Dogs Act, 1986.

Where is appears to the District Court that a nuisance has been created as a result of excessive barking, the Court may -

Order the owner to abate the nuisance by exercising due control over the dog.
Make an order limiting for such period as may be specified in the order the number of dogs to be kept by on the premises.
Direct that a dog be delivered to a dog warden to be dealt with by him in accordance with the provisions of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, as if the dog were an unwanted dog.

Breeds of dog to which certain regulations apply under the Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations, 1998
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