Dublin City Council arranges for the provision and operation of a Dog Pound facility for the purposes of its functions under the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and The Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act 1992. http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1986/en/act/pub/0032/index.html  and http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1992/en/act/pub/0013/index.html  

Under this legislation a local authority must

• Appoint Dog Wardens
• Establish and maintains one or more shelters for dogs seized under the provisions of the act, this can be done either directly or by arrangement with a third party.

Dog Wardens are appointed and have the power to impose on-the-spot fines for a number of offences, seize dogs and to take court prosecutions.

A member of An Garda Síochána may seize and detain any dog that appears to him to be a stray dog and may enter any premises (other than a dwelling) for the purpose of such seizure and detention. These are effectively the same powers as those held by the Dog Wardens.

All surrendered/seized dogs are brought to Ashton Kennel and Pound, River Road, Ashtown, Dublin 15. 
Phone (01) 8383236 / 8683038. To view and get information on dogs currently in Ashton Pound looking to be reunited with their owners please click on the following link Dogs in Distress

Buying Dog Licences Online

Did you know  that It is now possible for Dublin City Council customers  to purchase Dogs Licences on-line using the secure ecapita e-payments facility. On our homepage just click into Pay Online and select other payments.

There’s no need to waste precious evenings or lunch hours standing in a queue at the post office. This facility now enables dog owners living in Dublin City Council’s administrative area to easily and conveniently ensure that they always hold a valid licence for their dog as required by law.

A dog licence costs €12.70 and is valid for one year.

 1998 Control of Dogs Regulations

The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 identify 10 breeds of dog which are subject to stricter regulations which requires that in a public place the dog should be:

• (i) securely muzzled; and
• (ii) being led by a sufficiently strong chain or leash, not exceeding two metres in length, by a person over the age of sixteen years who is capable of controlling the said dog.
• The following breeds are covered by the 1998 regulations
• (a) American Pitbull Terrier, (b) Bull Mastiff (c) Doberman Pinscher, (d) English Bull Terrier, (e) German Shepherd (Alsatian), (f) Japanese Akita, (g) Japanese Tosa, (h) Rhodesian Ridgeback, (i) Rottweiler, (J) Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and to every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog) and to every other strain or cross of every breed of every type of dog described above.

These regulations are enforced by the local authorities warden service.

Dublin City Council - Control Of Dogs Bye Laws

The Dublin City Council Control of Dogs Bye Laws applies to public areas within Dublin City Councils administrative area. Fines of 30 Euro are applicable if any of the offences below are committed

• Keeping a dog without a licence
• Taking a dog into your possession who had a previous owner, without having a relevant dog license.
• Transferring possession of dog to another individual who does not hold a relevant licence in respect to that dog.
• Permitting a dog in your ownership to be in any place other then:   
• (a) The premises of the owner.
• (b) The premises of another person in charge of the dog.
• (c) The premises of any other person without the consent of the premises owner.
• Permitting a greyhound to be in a public place without a sufficiently strong lead or chain.
• Leading or permitting four or more greyhounds to be in a public place, lead by only one person.
• By finding a stray dog and failing to:        
• (a) Return the dog to its owner
• (b) Deliver the dog to a warden
• (c) Detain the dog without giving details about the animal or location where it was found to the nearest Garda Siochanna Station.

• Failing to deliver a stray dog that you seized, which could be harmful to livestock.
• Failing to produce a dog licence within ten days of being requested by a dog warden in respect of a dog that you are the owner or in charge of.
• Failure to ensure that a dog is wearing a collar with the owners name and address inscribed to a medal or badge on the collar.
• Altering, defacing, mutilating or rendering illegible, the information attached to a dogs collar.
• Allowing a dog to wear a collar, whose information regarding the owner of the dog has been,altered,defaced,mutilated, or rendered illegible.

These bye laws also state that a person in charge of a dog shall keep the dog on a sufficiently strong chain or leash, not exceeding two metres in length if a fixed leash, or ten metres if retractable, while in that area, except during certain defined times when the dog, other than a restricted breed as defined by the 1998 Control of Dogs regulations, may be unleashed in such areas provided that such dog must still be under the effectual control of the person-in-charge of the dog in accordance with the Control of Dogs Acts, 1986 and 1992:

The provision to allow a dog off its lease during these times do not apply to the North Bull Island and any other such area for which a Special Amenity Area Order is made.

Please click here for information on responsibilities of dog owners, including information on dog licences and barking dogs. 

Additional Measures

Additional measures regarding control of dogs have been taken by the Housing and Residential Services Department in the interests of good estate management.

Dublin City Council introduced a ban on the keeping of 10 breeds of dogs by City Council tenants on 1st July 2007. 

A tenant who had one of these breeds of dog prior to the coming in to effect of the ban may be allowed to keep their dog, provided they ensure that the dog is microchipped and neutered/spayed.

Click here for further information on this ban

Impact of Stray Dogs on Guide Dogs

Stray dogs can have a huge adverse effect on Guide dogs and their owners.   Stray dogs or dogs not on a leash can distract a guide or assistance dog.  There are issues with loose and stray dogs circling the guide dog owner causing territorial pack behaviour, which has resulted in defensive aggression in the Guide Dog.  Also, a Guide or Assistance Dog can get spooked and develop anxiety which impacts on the dogs effectiveness , and increased anxiety in the guide dog can cause poor concentration and errors, placing dog and owner at risk.  Puppies in training have also developed anxiety which makes them difficult to train.
Situations have occurred that have been over-whelming for guide dog owners as they can’t see the loose dog or help their guide dog.  These issues have resulted in often withdrawing the guide dog, which is costly in terms of money and time invested in the dog.  In turn Guide dog owners are often reluctant to reapply for a new guide dog as the situation is over-whelming
All dog owners have a responsibility to manage their dog.  At a cost of €38 000 per dog, a need to protect the time and money invested in training needs to be protected. Click here for Responsibilities of Dog Owners information

Click here for more information on the  Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Website