Dog Pound:

The Council operates a dog pound and it is located in Zone B, Mullingar Business Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath N91 XE08.

Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10.00am - 12noon.

Contact number: 044 93 43934 / 044 93 32226

Visit the Mullingar Dog Shelter Facebook page to view dogs available for re-homing/re-claiming.

Responsible Dog Ownership Leaflet 0816 (1,120kB)

Old TV ad is timely reminder to dog owners about sheep kills

An ad issued by the Department of Agriculture in 1984 reminds dog owners about dangers of letting their pet run free during lambing season. A TV advertisement first aired almost 30 years ago warning dog owners about the dangers of letting their dog run free has been doing the rounds on social media. The animated "Bonzo the dog" ad was issued by the Department of Agriculture and aired on RTE television in 1984. The ad features a dog called "Bonzo" being let outside by his owners, joining a pack of other dogs and then attacking a flock of sheep. The tag line of the ad is "Keep your dog under control. Running free he can be a killer."

Old TV add

Green Dog Walkers

Green Dog Walkers (GDW) is a non-confrontational, friendly way to change attitudes about dog fouling. The philosophy of this campaign is to start changing public attitudes so that it becomes socially unacceptable not to clean up after your dog.  It is a community based scheme that volunteers can adopt and promote in the community.

How it works

Volunteers wear a GDW hi vis vest or carry a bag dispenser (dog collar attachment) that signifies that they have "taken the pledge" to always:

• Clean up after their dog/s
• Wear the hi vis vest or carry bag dispenser when walking their dog/s
• Carry extra dog waste bags
• Be happy to be approached to "lend"a dog waste bag to those without
• Be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their dog/s

To sign up

To sign up as an individual or to roll out this initiative in your area contact awareness@westmeathcoco.ie or phone 044 93 32125

Green Dog Walker Pledge Form (655kB)

Green Dog Walker Guide (3,934kB)

Control of Animals

Simple steps to avoid a dog biting/attacking

• Dogs will signal before biting, including looking away from the source of stress, moving away, staring, lifting their lip into an Elvis curl, growling, snarling, pretend bite, lunging forward and finally a real bite.
• Do not punish a dog for communicating its stress in such a manner. It is merely trying to issue a warning.
• Dogs, as a general rule, hate hugs and kisses.
• Children should never, ever put their face near a dog's muzzle.
• Dogs confuse new born babies with toys – always keep infants well out of a dog's reach.
• Never, ever corner a dog

Studies have shown that attacks are not breed specific. 

Westmeath County Council has adopted a "Responsible Dog Ownership" policy. This policy sets out the Council’s approach to encourage and enforce responsible dog ownership  Responsible Dog Ownership Policy (1,180kB) .

Dog Licencing

All dogs over four months must have a licence.  A dog licence costs €20 and can be purchased at your local Post Office or on line at:http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/doglicences/

The cost of a "Lifetime of Dog Licence" is €140 and can be purchased from your Local County Council.

The cost of a "General Dog Licence" for owners of multiple dogs is €400 and can be purchased from your Local County Council.

A dog licence is valid for 12 months and you must be over 16 years of age to hold a dog licence.

It is an offence to have a dog without a licence and a fine of €100 applies.

Micro-chipping of Dogs

From 31st March, 2016, all dogs must be micro-chipped with their details registered on an approved database.  Owners must hold a certificate of proof from the database.

From 1st September, 2015 any pup MUST be chipped by the time they reach 12 weeks, or before they leave the property they were born on.  The microchip must be registered on an approved database, and the breeder or owner must hold a certificate with the pup's details and the owner's details.

Since 1st September, 2015 it has been illegal to buy, take ownership, sell or supply a pup that does not have a certificate of microchip registration from an approved database.  (This will apply to all dogs from 31st March, 2016).

Dog owners must ensure that all information is up to date and correct.  Any changes must be made known to the database and recorded on a new certificate.

If your dog is already chipped, you do not need to be re-chipped; however, their details must be stored on an approved database and hold a certificate of confirmation.

The microchip must meet a specific technical standard and the supplier must have a contract with an approved database for the storage of data.

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/dogmicrochipping/
dogmicrochipping-Frequently Asked Questions (doc80kb)

New Dog Regulations

Do you keep 6 or more female dogs?

On 1 January 2012, new dog regulations came into force in Ireland.  The regulations apply if you keep 6 or more female dogs which are more than 6 months old and are capable of breeding. 

You should contact Westmeath County Council to check if you are covered by these regulations.  The legislation in question is the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.

The regulations may cover dogs even when they are not used for, or never will be used for breeding purposes.  Westmeath County Council will clarify if you are covered by the regulations. nbsp; Anyone who is covered by the new regulations will need to register with Westmeath County Council and ensure that their premises conform to the guidelines issued as part of the regulations.  

Failure to register with Westmeath County Council is an offence under the regulations

Dog Warden duties

• Seizing of stray dogs. Dogs 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.
• Dog licence inspection. 
• Care of seized dogs.
• Re-homing of dogs. 
• Liaising with members of the public regarding stray/dangerous/uncontrolled dogs.

Dog-owners responsibilities

• Keep their dog/s under control in a public place. If your dog has been seized by the dog warden there is a €100 fee to re-claim your dog and boarding fees/other fees may apply. Evidence of having a licence for your dog is also required.
• Dogs must wear a collar and tag bearing the name and address of the owner. A fine of €100 can be imposed for non compliance.
• Certain breeds of potentially dangerous dogs must be kept on a leash and muzzled and be controlled by a person over 16 years, who is capable of controlling the dog, when in a public place. An on-the-spot fine of €100 can be imposed for non compliance.
• 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

The following dogs must be on a leash, muzzled and be controlled by a person over 16years, who is capable of controlling the dog, when in a public place. An on-the-spot fine of €100 can be imposed for not complying with this

• 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.