69 dogs are reunited with their owners

LAST year 241 stray and surrendered dogs were dealt with by the two full-time Dog Wardens employed by South Dublin County Council.

Of the 241 stray dogs, 69 were reunited with their owners and a further 162 were rehomed by the end of the year.

According to the local authority: “The Dog Warden Service encourages responsible dog ownership and continually promotes the benefits of microchipping dogs and how this will assist in reuniting dog owners with their dogs if lost or worse stolen.”

As part of their enforcement role under the Control of Dogs Act, the Dog Wardens will respond to complaints relating to dogs not under effectual control and/or dangerous dogs, including incidents of sheep worrying, carry out licence checks and initiate enforcement proceedings if necessary and collect unwanted and stray dogs.

Since the introduction of the Control of Dogs Act and subsequent programmes of awareness and enforcement the number of unwanted and stray dogs collected by the Wardens in South Dublin has reduced by around 90%.

During the same period, the number of sheep worrying incidents reduced by a similar amount.

The Dog Wardens also deal with complaints related to dogs on a daily basis, for example barking dogs, stray dogs, surrendered dogs, nuisance dogs.

According to the council, the service regularly receives complaints about other animals including foxes and even swans. These are referred on to appropriate agencies, where possible. The wardens patrol all areas of the County including parks and open spaces.

The Wardens liaise with other Council sections and departments in carrying out their work, including the Park Ranger Service in respect of the control of dogs in council parks and open spaces and will advise and assist estate management in the Councils Housing Department.