Kildare has just two dog wardens for a rapidly rising population as canine problems escalate

Dog owners across County Kildare are not doing enough to keep their dogs under control or form using public areas as toilets.

The increase in the number of outdoor amenity areas like the greenway and blueway is attracting people with dogs which often leave their faeces behind.

The county has two dog wardens and a population of  250,000.

This creates problems for the public as well as farm animals, Cllr Kevin Duffy told a Kildare County Council meeting.

“There’s a need for communication to remind people of their responsibilities, notably to keep them on leads,” said.

Naas councillor Bill Clear  said that people sometimes own inappropriate pets and cited an example of a woman “being dragged across a park” by Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Signs would be erected and owners would know what their responsibilities are,” he said.Despite the problems only 1% of dogs taken in are put to sleep.

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Cllr Colm Kenny paid tribute to the work of the Kildare and West Wicklow SPCA.

“They are taking dogs that would otherwise be euthanized,” he said, adding that the KWWSPCA “provides a vital function.”

It is difficult to secure convictions and fines against those who break the law, said Cllr Carmel Kelly.

“Reporting it is the easy part, the dog warden has to see it or the witness has to go to court and either scenario is difficult,” she said.

But Cllr Ciara Galvin took issue with some of the comments saying “it’s often very negative.”

Kildare should have a dog park, she said.

She also said that more training could be made available to ensure that dogs become more “socialised” at a young age. Puppy training is needed, she said adding “let's not be so negative.”

She said that while dogs can be dangerous the vast majority are not.

Cllr Mark Stafford said that if money is to be invested in greenways and blueways then action is needed to ensure dogs owners are obeying the laws and Cllr Tim Durkan said owners need to be better informed about their responsibilities.

KCC official Joe Boland also praised the role of the KWWSPCA and agreed that it is difficult to secure convictions.

He also said a dog park could be considered when money is being allocated for projects. He added that licence fees do not cover the cost of providing the dog warden service.

The ISPCA provides the  dog warden service (employing two wardens) on behalf of the council and its personnel work closely with other agencies including the gardaí.

The council maintains a pound for dogs seized, accepted or detained and this facility, which was recently upgraded, and the dog warden service, is  based at Portersize, Ballitore, where the wardens are also based. Incidents can be reported to them (059-8623388).

This is the contact number for the county and not for specific municipal districts.

Incidents can be reported directly to the warden at this number. If there are public places of particular concern to the councillor, the warden can be requested to carry out a regular patrol of these areas, added Mr Boland.

The warden’s role and responsibilities include dealing with queries and complaints from the public, investigations and court cases.

The wardens coordinate activities in relation to the control of stray animals and the operation of the county pound.

The primary legislation is the Control of Dogs Act 1986 and because certain aspects of this legislation have been in place  for many years there have been calls for  legislative change.

The warden of the gardaí may take all reasonable steps to seize and detain any dog that appears to be a stray dog and may enter any premises (other than a residence) to prevent or end ending an attack by a dog, or the worrying of livestock.

The warden has powers to request a person’s name and address and request any person who owns, is in charge of a dog to produce a dog licence within ten days.

In 2021 the number of strays entering the pound was 78, 46 of  which were reclaimed/rehomed and 31 were transferred to dog welfare groups.

All dogs must be kept under control in public  and certain breeds must always be leashed, muzzled and accompanied by a person over the age of 16 years.

A person guilty of an offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or both.

The owner of a dog is liable for damages caused in an attack on any person by the dog and for injury done by it to any livestock.

A complaint can be made to the District Court about a dangerous or uncontrolled dog and the court can order that the dog be kept under proper control or destroyed - in addition to other penalties.

Following a review and a public consultation last April, the Department for Rural and Community Development believes  there is a need to “further promote a culture of responsible dog ownership in Ireland” and has outlined measures to do so. This includes supporting information campaigns regarding responsible dog ownership and processing measures involving primary and secondary legislation.

The information campaign could include communications relating to licensing, control of dogs in general and within rural areas and appropriate people interaction with dogs.

Mr Boland said KCC has previously run media campaigns promoting dog licensing and plans to repeat this over the course of the year.

While dog fouling falls under the Litter Pollution Act, it’s intended to  highlight the issue as part of the proposed information campaign.The department is examining the possibility of allowing county councils to  issue notices (separate from the existing process which involves the court system) when there is an issue with an individual dog.

It’s  also looking at giving enforcement powers to  park wardens, wildlife rangers, Coillte staff and others responsible for overseeing public lands.