The government is allocating funding of €2 million for local authorities to support the resourcing of dog warden services from 2025. The funding recognises the increased demands in the area of dog control and the need to ensure resources on the ground to enforce the pending ban on XL Bully dogs. From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bullies and starting on February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’.
According to recent statistics there are 74 dog wardens employed in total across Ireland with 2 full-time Dog Wardens in county Tipperary to operate the Dog Warden Service. A Dog Control Unit is provided at Knockalton, near Nenagh. The Tipperary Dog Wardens can be contacted via the main Council telephone number 0818-06-5000.
According to the 2023 Tipperary County Council Annual report 282 dogs were surrendered or seized by Tipperary Dog Wardens last year. 20 of these were reclaimed, 197 were given to Animal Rescues, 29 were rehomed and 43 were put to sleep. A total of 7,468 Dog Licenses were purchased in Tipperary last year. Local Authorities have the power to appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against owners. Any dog found straying, or abandoned, will be seized by a dog warden. That dog may then be put down after five days if not claimed and any charges paid.
The issue of dog control spans a number of Government Departments including Rural and Community Development and the Department of Agriculture. Minister Heather Humphreys says “Public safety is her number one priority and that the funding will help ensure that these new measures are enforced on the ground.”
