A Guide to Responsible Dog Ownership

The Animal Welfare Unit's mission is to create a city where people and animals co-exist in harmony. Our community programmes try to instil a sense of caring towards all animals among children and dog owners.

As the organisation responsible for the licensing and control of dogs in the Dublin City Council area, we also enforce the relevant legislation. We conduct park walks with members of An Garda Síochána to speak with dog owners, issue fines and encourage compliance with the law. We also call to homes to check for dog licences.

Learn about your obligations as a dog owner under the Control of Dogs Act and Dublin City Council's Control of Dogs Bye-Laws.

The 5 Responsibilities of Dog Owners

This is what you need to know to be a responsible dog owner and help us create an environment where dogs can lead safe and happy lives alongside the public.

1. Your Dog Must Have Identification

As well as making sure your dog is well cared for and well trained, the law requires that all dogs must wear a collar or harness with identification that bears the name and address of its owner. This information can be inscribed on the collar or on a plate, badge or disc attached to it.

Owners that don't have a collar and ID tag on their dog face a fine of €200. Non-payment of this fine could lead to prosecution, a larger fine and a prison sentence. Failure to put an ID tag on your dog also makes it more difficult to find them if they get lost, so make sure they wear one at all times.

2. Your Dog Must Be Microchipped

It is now a legal requirement to have your dog microchipped. Inspectors may request a copy of your dog's Microchipping Certificate, which confirms that your dog is microchipped and registered on a government-approved database.

You can get your dog microchipped at most vets, at the DSPCA or at one of the DSPCA's mobile clinics.

3. You Must Have a Dog Licence

If you have a dog that is over four months old, you must have a licence for them. A dog licence costs €20 and is valid for one year from the date of issue.

It is also possible to purchase a lifetime licence, which costs €140. Those who own a large numbers of dogs can also purchase a single, general one-year licence to cover them all for €400.

There are two ways to purchase a dog licence:

• Online via the Licences.ie website.
• At your local post office.

If you do not have a licence for your dog, you are liable to pay a €150 fine. Failure to pay this fine can lead to a prosecution, a larger fine of up to €2,500 and a possible prison sentence of up to three months if convicted.

4. You Must 'Scoop the Poop'

Owners should train their dogs not to foul in public places. Ideally, they should go in the garden at home.

Alternatively, you should be prepared to clean up your dog's waste while out walking. Any plastic or paper bag can be used. You may also be able to avail of free dog poo bags at your local library or area office.

Dog dirt left in public places accounts for the bulk of complaints that Dublin City Council receives about dogs. Dog owners who don't pick up after their dogs cause a health hazard. They are largely responsible for an infection called toxocariasis, which most commonly affects children as they are most likely to handle contaminated soil.

Leaving dog waste in a public area is unacceptable. Failure to clean up your dog’s waste and dispose of it in a responsible way can lead to a €150 'on the spot' fine. Failure to pay this fine can lead to prosecution in the District Court with a fine of up to €4,000 and €600 per day for continuing offences on summary conviction.

5. You Must Keep Your Dog Under Control

For the safety of other people and animals, it is incredibly important that you can keep your dog under control at all times. Training is a key part of this, but you should also use the likes of muzzles, leashes and harnesses as necessary. You should also ensure that only capable handlers are left in charge of your dog.

Stray and uncontrolled dogs also have an adverse effect on guide dogs and their owners. Guide dogs can become distracted, nervous and aggressive which can lead to errors that put their owners at risk.

If a dog is found not to be kept under control, its owner may face an 'on the spot' fine of €300. Failure to pay this fine can lead to a prosecution, a larger fine and a possible prison sentence if convicted.

It is also important to note that even well-behaved dogs must be kept on a leash in specified areas as outlined in Dublin City Council's Control of Dogs Bye-Laws. Owners can receive an 'on the spot' fine of €100 for breaching these bye-laws.

Controls for Restricted Breeds

Additional responsibilities apply to owners of restricted breeds.

• You must muzzle your dog when out in public.
• You must keep your dog on a strong chain or leash no longer than two metres at all times when out in public.
• Your dog must always be led by a person over the age of 16 who is capable of controlling it.

Failure to meet any of these requirements will result in an 'on the spot' fine of €300.

The ten breeds of dog to which these additional restrictions apply are:

• American Pit Bull Terriers.
• Bull Mastiffs.
• Doberman Pinschers.
• English Bull Terriers.
• German Shepherds/ Alsatians.
• Japanese Akitas.
• Japanese Tosas.
• Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
• Rottweilers.
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
• Ban Dogs/ Bandogs.

These restrictions also apply to every other strain, cross breed or type of the dogs described above.

Restricted Breeds in Dublin City Council Tenancies

In the interests of good estate management, the Housing and Community Services Department of Dublin City Council introduced a ban on keeping these ten restricted breeds of dog in Dublin City Council tenancies. This ban has been in place since 2007.

Restrictions for XL Bully Type Dogs

Since October 2024, new regulations prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and rehoming of XL Bully type dogs. Owners who wish to keep their XL Bully type dog and who live in the Dublin City Council area must apply to us for a Certificate of Exemption before 1 February 2025.

Contact the Animal Welfare Unit

If you have any queries about your responsibilities as a dog owner, please contact the Animal Welfare Unit using the details below. Our wardens are available to advise on any issues or queries that you may have on responsible dog ownership.