Donegal’s Dog Warden service outsourced to a private company

A private company has taken over Donegal’s Dog Warden service. 

Previously, the service was carried out by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA); however, it is understood that this task has now been outsourced to Midland Animal Care. This follows the closure of the animal rehabilitation centre in Ballyare. 

Midland Animal Care operate dog control services for nine local authorities, including Carlow County Council, Clare County Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council, Kilkenny County Council, Meath County Council, Roscommon County Council, South-Dublin County Council and now Donegal County Council. 

“Outsourcing the service is wrong,” Glenties MD Councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig said. “It is not in the best interest of the taxpayer. We need to write to the minister; it is not good enough.”

Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig is referring to the issue of privatisation, by which control of a service is transferred from the public sector to private ownership. Other councillors hold the view that although work has been outsourced, there is an issue with dog fouling across the county and the job is still being completed. 

“Over Christmas, people were out walking and there was so much dog foul,” Councillor Brian Carr said. “People do not adhere to the guidelines. It is becoming a problem everywhere. There is a need for more dog wardens, which needs to be reviewed countywide. 

“It's getting out of hand, there is a lack of wardens, owners don’t care and I highly doubt there have been any prosecutions.”

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Caithaoirleach of the Glenties, MD, Cllr Micheal McClafferty, supported the call for more wardens and bins to dispose of the dog foul. There are currently two Dog Wardens employed throughout the county, but it is expected that the number will increase to three. 

 “The situation is out of hand and something needs to be done,” Cllr McClafferty said. “As a dog owner, people need to control their dogs. It’s important to know that dangerous diseases can be spread and dog dirt can cause blindness.

“It is unsightly, untidy and unhygienic. Maybe installing bins comparable to the one seen in Kilmacrennan will encourage people to use it.” 

John McCarron, at the environmental section of Donegal County Council, said that the situation will be assessed and the queries will be addressed.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme