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.
XL Bully
New ownership rules have been introduced to protect public safety following a number of attacks by XL Bully type dogs.
From 1 October 2024 it will be illegal to import, breed, rehome or resell an XL Bully dog.
From 1 February 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully unless you have a Certificate of Exemption.
XL Bully owners have between October 1st 2024 and January 31st 2025 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption.
More information can be found on gov.ie ban on XL bully page.
Certificate of Exemption
You can apply for a valid Certificate of Exemption from now until January 31st 2025. If you do not hold a valid Certificate of Exemption after January 31st 2025 or have proof of application, the dog will be seized and thereafter may be euthanised by a veterinary officer on behalf of the Clare County Council unless compliance with the regulations is subsequently proven.
- The Certificate of Exemption is a once-off document that will last the lifetime of your XL Bully.
- There will be no fee for this certificate.
Guidelines and application forms can be found on related documents below. Once you have completed our application, please send it directly to this office for processing.
Postal:
Dog Control Unit,
Environment Section,
Clare County Council,
New Road,
Ennis,
Co. Clare
V95 DXP2
Email: enviroff@clarecoco.ie
Identifying an XL Bully Dog
The XL Bully type is a variant of the wider American Bully breed type. The XL Bully type is typically larger (both in terms of height and body shape) and more muscular than other American Bully breed types such as the ‘Micro’, ‘Pocket’, ‘Standard’ and ‘Classic’.
The onus is on the dog owner to identify their dog as an XL Bully for which a Certificate of Exemption is required.
For additional guidelines on identifying your dog as an XL Bully, can be found on XL Bully type physical conformation standard [PDF,437KB] .
Contact Information
Dog Control Unit,
The Environment Section,
Clare County Council,
New Road,
Ennis,
Co. Clare.
Email: enviroff@clarecoco.ie
Tel: 065-6846331
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Page last reviewed: 10/10/24
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