Responsibilities of dog owners

Q. Do I have to get a licence for my dog?

A. All dogs over 4 months of age must have a licence. Puppies aged under 4 months who are still with their mothers don’t need a licence, but once they leave their mothers they must have a licence.

There are three types of dog licence:

An individual dog licence, which costs €20 and is valid for 1 year.

A ‘lifetime of dog’ licence, which costs €140 and is valid for the dog’s lifetime.

A general dog licence, which costs €400 and is valid for 1 year. This covers an unspecified number of dogs at one location.

You can apply for an individual or lifetime dog licence at your local post office or licences.ie. A general dog licence application must be submitted to your local authority.

Licences are not needed for guide dogs for blind people

Q. Do I have to get my dog microchipped?

A. All dogs must be microchipped by a vet and registered on an authorised database by the time they are 12 weeks. This also applies if a dog leaves the property where they were born before they are 12 weeks. The regulations are set out in the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015.

Since 1 February 2020, if you are advertising a dog for sale, the advertisement must have the dog’s microchip code.

Q. Does my dog have to wear a collar?

A. A dog must wear a collar at all times. A collar must have the name and the address of the owner. If your dog doesn’t have this identification a dog warden can give you an on-thespot fine of €100. If you don’t pay this fine within a specified period, you can be prosecuted by the local authority.

Q. What powers does a dog warden have?

Dog wardens have the power to: Request the name and address of anyone suspected of an offence under the Control of Dogs Act. Seize and detain any dog. Enter any premises (other than a residence) to seize and detain a dog.

You can be arrested by a Garda if you do any of the following:

Obstruct a dog warden in the course of their work.

Refuse to give your name and address to a dog warden.

Give a false name and address to a dog warden.

A dog warden can ask you to produce evidence of your dog licence and if you can’t do this, they can issue an on-the-spot fine, currently €100.

Q. My neighbour’s dog won’t stop barking. What can I do?

If your neighbour’s dog won’t stop barking and you are unable to resolve the issue with the dog owner, you can make a complaint to the District Court and look for a hearing. When you get a court date, you must notify the dog owner using a prescribed form, which is available from your local authority or District Court.

Q. What are the regulations re dog fouling?

A. It is an offence to let a dog under your control foul a public place. If it does happen, you, or the person in charge of the dog, must remove the faeces and dispose of them in a suitable, sanitary manner.

If a dog fouls a public place, and the owner doesn’t remove the faeces, you can make a complaint to the District Court under litter laws. Before you do this, you must inform the dog owner by completing a form available from the Dog Control Unit of your local authority.

Q. Are there rules about selling dogs?

A. There are rules about the sale and supply of pets, including dogs. Since, 1 February 2020, if you sell or supply five or more pets in a calendar year you must:

Register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Maintain records about pet animals kept for sale or supply.

Include certain information if you are advertising an animal for sale. For example, if you are advertising a dog for sale, you must include its microchip number.

Not sell or supply pets under a certain age (8 weeks for dogs).

These rules are set out in the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Regulations) 2019.

There is a Code of Practice for people who sell and supply pet animals.

If you need further information about any of the issues raised here or you have other questions, you can call a member of the local Citizens Information Service in West Cork on 0818 07 8390. They will be happy to assist you and if necessary arrange an appointment for you.

Know Your Rights Column has been prepared by Fermoy, Mallow and Mitchelstown Citizens Information Service.

WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU IN NORTH CORK

To speak with an Information Officer you can contact our offices: Fermoy Mon and Tues 9:00-17:00, Wed and Thurs 9:00-13:00 on 0818 07 7970. E-mail fermoy@citinfo.ie. Mallow Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs and Fri 9:00-17:00 on 0818 07 8000. E-mail mallow@citinfo.ie

Mitchelstown phone line is currently diverted to Mallow.