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Dogs
Galway City Council seeks to promote responsible dog ownership - the basis of which is licensing and control of dogs. For more information on how to be a responsible dog owner, click here.
Problems in relation to dogs in Galway City should be reported to the Environment Department, Galway City Council on (091) 536400. The contact number for the dog pound is (091) 757094.
Dog licence: If you have a dog over 4 months old, you must have a licence for him/her. A dog licence lasts for one year, can only be issued to someone who is over 16 years of age and costs €20.00. A dog licence can be bought at any Post Office.
Dog fouling: It is every dog owner’s moral duty and legal responsibility to clean up after their dog. Dog litter is a health hazard and ruins the environment for everyone. Pick up after your dog or face a fine of €150. Pooper scoopers are available free of charge from various outlets throughout the city and from City Hall.
Dog Warden and Dog Pound: A dog warden is on duty at the Ballybane Dog Pound, Tuam Road, Monday to Friday from 9.30 am – 10.30 am and from 4.00 pm – 5.00 pm and can be contacted on (091) 757094. He is, otherwise, on patrol throughout the city.
The Dog Warden
· checks dog licenses
· investigates complaints about dangerous and uncontrolled dogs
· operates the dog pound
Dog control is also monitored by Galway City Council’s community wardens.
The powers of dogs wardens include the power to request the name and address of a person where there are reasonable grounds for believing the person is committing, or has committed, an offence under the dog control legislation; to seize and detain any dog and to enter any premises (other than a dwelling), for the purpose of such seizure or detention. It is an offence to impede or obstruct a dog warden in carrying out his/her duties.
Dogs may be purchased from the pound for €25, with a rebate of €15 if the dog is neutered.
There is a basic charge of €10 plus €4/day to recover impounded dogs.
Dogs may be put down for a fee of €20.
Impounded dogs are kept for 8 days and may then be put down.
Dog control: By law, all dogs must be kept under effective control – owners may be held liable for any injury or damage caused if their dog attacks a person or livestock. Dogs should not be allowed to roam free in public areas, green areas or around neighbourhoods. A dog should be under the effectual control of their owner at all times and must wear a means of identification of the owner, such as a collar with name tag or badge. Dangerous breeds should be kept on a lead and muzzled.
Dogs on beaches: From August 1st 2008, dogs will not be permitted on Galway City beaches or their waters between the hours of 9 am and 8 pm during the months of May, June, July, August and September. Before 9 am and after 8 pm during May to September, dogs are permitted on the beach provided they are on a leash and are not causing danger or nuisance. This bye-law relates solely to the Galway City beaches of Salthill, Grattan, Ballyloughane and Silverstrand and to their waters; the Promenade is not affected by its introduction. A copy of the dogs bye-laws can be downloaded here.
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. To do this, you must first inform the dog owner in writing using a prescribed form.
Rules relating to certain breeds of dog
The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 place controls on 10 breeds of dogs namely the American Pit Bull Terrier; English Bull Terrier; Staffordshire Bull Terrier; Bull Mastiff; Doberman Pinscher; German Shepherd (Alsatian); Rhodesian Ridgeback; Rottweiler; Japanese Akita; Japanese Tosa and to every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog).
The controls, which must be observed when the dog is in a public place, require that these dogs, or strains and crosses thereof, must be kept on a strong short lead [only up to 2 metres long] by a person over 16 years of age who is capable of controlling them. The dog/s must be securely muzzled too. Furthermore, the Control of Dogs Act 1986 gives specific powers to the courts to order that a dog, which the court considers dangerous, must be kept under proper control or be destroyed.