Dog Control Service & Licences
The Department of Rural and Community Development is responsible for policy and legislation regarding dog control and dog breeding establishments. Under the Control of Dogs Act 1986 local authorities have responsibility for all operational activities. They have the power to appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against owners.
Dog Licences
If you have a dog over 4 months old, you must have a licence for the dog. This is a legal requirement.
Types of dog licences
- Standard individual dog licences
- General dog licences for multiple dogs (e.g. kennels)
- Lifetime dog licencse
Pay your dog licences online
Cost of dog licences
- Standard individual dog licences €20
- General dog licences for multiple dogs (e.g. kennels) €400
- Lifetime dog licences €140
Clare Dog Shelter
The Clare Dog Shelter is operated by Midland Animal Care Ltd and located at:
Gort Road Industrial Estate,
Gort Road,
Ennis,
Co. Clare
Telephone: (065) 6820393
E-mail: claredogshelter@gmail.com
Facebook: Clare Dog Shelter
Find a dog for rehoming
The Clare Dog Shelter posts information about dogs that need homes as well as notices about lost dogs on its Facebook page.
To adopt a dog from Clare Dog Shelter you will need to pay a fee of €65 which includes microchip and licence fee. You are also required to present photo ID (such as passport or driving licence) and proof of address (utility bill from within the previous 3 months).
Monitoring
Clare County Council monitors the dog control service in the county, which is managed and operated by Midland Animal Care Ltd., Co. Offaly. There is one dog warden working full-time in County Clare and he is employed by the Midland Animal Care Ltd., Co. Offaly. The dog warden is assisted by two part-time kennel assistants based at Clare Dog Shelter.
Dog Control statistics
Excessive dog barking
Excessive dog barking that causes a nuisance is an offence. If you are affected by excessive dog barking you may be able to solve such problems by talking to the dog owner.
If you don't get a satisfactory response, you may complain to the District Court and seek a hearing. When you have received a court date, you must inform the dog owner of your complaint by using the form prescribed for this purpose under Section 25 of the Control of Dogs Act 1986.
The Court may make an order requiring the occupier of the premises in which the dog is kept to abate the nuisance by exercising due control over a dog. The court may limit the number of dogs that can be kept on a premises or may direct that a dog be delivered to a dog warden to be dealt with as unwanted.
Dog Breeding Establishments
Dog breeding establishments are premises where no less than six bitches more than six months old and capable of being used for breeding purposes are kept.
These establishments are required to apply to be included on the register of dog breeding establishments. An application form to register a dog breeding establishment are available in the supporting documents below.
For full details/exemptions please contact enviroff@clarecoco.ie or 065-6846331.
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Page last reviewed: 23/04/24
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