Guard Dog Register Information

Control of dogs

Under the Control of Dogs (Amendment) regulations came into effect on the 1st June 2013, under S.I. No 156 of 2013. The changes made are as follows:

The Canine Unit of the Irish Prison Service are now exempt from the need to have a licence for dogs used in the service and from any requirements to muzzle and leash any such dog. The fine for not having a dog licence and other offences has been increased to €100. Fixed penalty notices can now be issued for non-muzzling and non-leashing of a dog that should be muzzled or leashed.

Control of Dogs Act 1986 , as amended by the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act 1992 , local authorities are responsible for the control of dogs. They have the power to appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against owners.

Local authorities may enter into agreements with each other to provide dog wardens and dog shelters. Some local authorities may enter into agreements with the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) or, with permission from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, a person or organisation connected with animal welfare to provide these services.

You are liable for injury or damage caused by your dog to people or livestock. You can be disqualified from keeping a dog if you have been convicted of cruelty to a dog under the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965.

Dog licences

In order to get a dog licence, you must be over 16 years of age. It is an offence to keep a dog unless you have a licence. All dogs over 4 months of age must have a licence. Puppies under 4 months, who are still with their mothers don’t need licences but once they leave their mothers they must have a licence. Your dog must be accompanied by and be under your effective control or the control of another responsible person if it is outside your home or premises or the home or premises of the person in charge of it. A dog warden can ask you to produce evidence of your dog licence and failure to do so can result in an on-the-spot fine. Failure to pay this fine within a specified period can result in prosecution by the local authority.

Licences are not needed for blind persons’ guide dogs; for dogs in the possession of a local authority, the ISPCA or the Gardaí; or for any dog imported into the State for less than 30 days.

Standard annual licences for individual dogs are issued by post offices. General dog licences for multiple dogs are issued by local authorities. The revenue from dog licences finances the operation of dog control services.

The Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 amended the Control of Dogs Act 1986. It introduced a new ‘lifetime of dog’ licence, which is issued by local authorities. It also increased the fees for standard and general dog licences. The Act came into effect on 1 January 2012.

Dog identification

Dogs must at all times wear a collar that bears the name and the address of the owner inscribed on it or on a plate, badge or disc. Failure to have identification on a dog can result in an on-the-spot fine issued by a dog warden. Failure to pay this fine within a specific period can result in prosecution by the local authority.

On 1st April 2016 it became a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped once they are 12 weeks old. You will have to register your contact details with teh microchip provider, and obtain your certificate from the provider as well. Remember to keep your details up to date if you move house or change your number.

Stray dogs

Stray dogs are dogs that are in a public place and are not accompanied by the owner or a responsible person. Dogs that are not under proper control are also considered stray dogs. You can receive an on-the-spot fine if your dog is not under proper control.

Stray dogs may be seized by the dog warden and the Gardaí and brought to a dog pound. These dogs may be put down or disposed of if their owners do not claim them within 5 days. If your dog has strayed or is missing, you should contact the local dog pound directly to check if your dog is there. Before you collect it, you will have to pay a re-claim fee and produce a current dog licence. If you do not have a current dog licence, you must get one before collecting your dog.

Unwanted dogs

Unwanted dogs can be brought to the dog pound, where they may be accepted subject to or free of charge. Local authorities have the power to accept unwanted dogs and destroy or dispose of them if they are not rehomed.

Dog wardens

Dog wardens have the power to request the name and address of a person suspected of an offence under the Control of Dogs Act. They also have the power to seize and detain any dog and to enter any premises with 5 or more dogs, other than a residence, to seize and detain a dog.

You are guilty of an offence and can be arrested by a Garda if you obstruct a dog warden in the course of his or her work, refuse to give your name and address or give a false name and address.

Bye-laws

Many local authorities have introduced by-laws to indicate areas where dogs must be kept on a leash or even prohibited. Your local authority will be able to inform you of the bye-laws that apply in your area. Breaches of these bye-laws can result in fines on summary conviction.

Dog faeces

Under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 it is an offence to allow a dog under your control to foul a public place. This means the owner/person in charge of the dog is required to remove dog faeces and dispose of them in a suitable, sanitary manner. You can complain to the District Court under the litter laws against an owner or someone in charge of a dog who allows that dog to foul public places and who fails to act responsibly. Before you do this, you must first inform the dog owner of your intention by completing a special form available from the Dog Control Unit of your local authority. Read more about litter laws.

Barking dogs

Excessive dog barking that causes a nuisance is an offence. The District Court can make an order requiring the reduction of excessive barking by a dog, can limit the number of dogs that can be kept on a premises or can direct that a dog be delivered to a dog warden as an unwanted dog.

You can make a complaint about excessive barking to the District Court under Noise Regulations . Before you do this, you must first inform the dog owner of your intention by completing a form under the Control of Dogs Act 1986 . These forms are available from your local authority.