Dog Control

Westmeath County Council is responsible for the control of dogs and employ one full time dog warden.

The council also operate a Dog Shelter in Zone C, Mullingar Business Park, Clonmore, Mullingar.

For queries related to Dog Control, contact the Environment section of Westmeath Co. Council

Tel: 044 9332166 or 044 9332226

The Control of Dogs Act was enacted in 1986 with the aim of reducing the numbers of stray dogs and to promote responsible dog ownership by means of licensing etc.

This law was introduced due to the increased incidences of sheep flocks being attacked & savaged by stray / out of control dogs. These dogs pose a direct risk to the general public from:

Bites
disease spread (Ringworm & Toxocariasis for example)

The welfare of these stray / unwanted dogs is also of concern. Irresponsible dog ownership is a form of animal cruelty.

Westmeath County Council administers this act in its functional area. One dog warden is employed whose duties include

Seizing of stray dogs.
Checking for dog licences
Care of seized dogs.
Re-homing of suitable dogs to suitable homes.
Liaising with members of the public who have concern about stray / dangerous / uncontrolled dogs.
Over 3,000 dog licences are issued each year.

Obligations for dog owners

Dog-owners are also reminded of their other obligations under The Control of Dogs Act.

Dogs must be kept under effective control in a public place.
All dogs must wear a collar and tag bearing the name and address of the owner.
Certain breeds of potentially dangerous dogs must be kept on a short strong leash and muzzled whenever they are in a public place. (link to list below)
A person in charge of a dog must clean up when the dog fouls in a public place. Owners who fail to do so are liable to an 'on-the-spot' of €150.

There have been a number of serious incidents of attacks on sheep flocks in recent years, dog-owners are reminded to ensure their dogs are kept under effective control at all times. Dogs which are involved in sheep worrying may be shot by the flock-owner or may be seized and put down by the dog warden. The dog-owner is liable for damages in cases where sheep are killed or injured.

Breeds of dog to which certain regulations apply under the Control of Dogs

American Pit Bull Terrier
Bulldog
Bull Mastiff
Dobermann Pinscher
English Bull Terrier
German Shepherd (Alsatian)
Japanese Akita
Japanese Tosa
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog) and to every other strain or cross of every breed or type of dog described above.