Dangers of uncontrolled dogs to be the subject of new media camapign

A MEDIA campaign is on the way to remind dog owners of the dangers that can be posed by uncontrolled dogs, Meath county councillors have been told.

The issue was raised by council Leas Cathaoirleach, Cllr Paul McCabe at a meeting last December when he called on the government to give more powers to dog wardens to seize animals so as to avoid “devastating and deeply disturbing dog attacks in local communities”.

The councillor’s notice of motion got support of other councillors and officials said it could be referred for attention to the Climate Action, Environment and Emergency Services strategic policy committee of the council. Cllr McCabe told the meeting that in the previous year from last December there had been an increase in fines under the Control of Dogs Act.

He told councillors that there had had been “horrific” attacks on sheep in his own parish and he asked that the council write to the high level group established by the Minister to look at the whole area of dog control. It had come to his attention that the dog warden had limited powers and that they could not access the dog licence data base to ascertain the ownership of a particular dog.

The Rural and Community Development Minister, Heather Humphreys wrote to the council saying that while her department had responsibility for policy and legislative matters in the Control of Dogs Acts, each local authority controlled enforcement and licensing.

The Minister’s department said that the Control of Dogs Legislation of 1998 required that owners of 11 specific breeds of dogs including strains or crosses of those breeds, had to comply with public measures including muzzling, leashing and handling of an dog by persons over 16 years.

“The Department believes that it is important for dog owner to be aware of their responsibilities not just to the general public but also to their dogs and for this reason the Minister intends launching a media campaign shortly to alert dog owners to their responsibilities and raise awareness of the dangers that can be posed by uncontrolled dogs. The Department looks forward to working with stakeholders on these issues in the months ahead.”

At last month’s county council meeting, Cllr Elaine McGinty asked the council to commit more resources for the recruitment of extra dog and litter wardens. Officials said that no grant funding had been allocated or no provision made in the council’s revenue budget for such recruitment but said the matter could be reviewed under the 2025 budget.