Paw and order as Council cracks down on unlicensed Donegal dogs
Dog warden issues hundreds of warning notices across Inishowen, giving owners ten days to produce a valid licence or risk a penalty
Hundreds of householders across Inishowen have received notices from Donegal County Council’s dog warden reminding them that it is a legal requirement to have a valid licence for their dog.
The leaflets, distributed in recent days, warn that dog owners who fail to produce a licence within 10 days of receiving a notice could face a €150 fixed penalty or prosecution.
The notices, signed by the DCC Dog Warden, have also been accompanied by a booklet on responsible dog ownership, reminding people of their legal obligations and the responsibilities that come with keeping a pet.
The Council asks anyone who owns a dog but does not have a current licence to take action right away. Households with valid licences, or those without a dog, are advised to disregard the notice.
The leaflet cites the Control of Dogs Act 1986/92, which allows a dog warden to request that anyone in charge of a dog produce a licence for examination within ten days.
Owners can comply by purchasing a licence, which will automatically appear on the Council’s records, or by providing details of an existing licence.
The notice warns that anyone who fails to comply within the ten-day period may be issued with a fixed penalty notice of €150 or face prosecution.
It also states that a further penalty of €150 may be issued in relation to each dog alleged to be unlicensed.
Anyone who receives a notice is being asked to check their licence status and respond within the specified timeframe to avoid potential penalties.