My Department maintains a close working relationship with the Local Authorities on dog welfare matters. I am informed that regular inspections of dog pounds are carried out by the Local Authority veterinary officers and, in addition, that all pounds have regular services of private veterinarians to deal with sick animals and emergency cases.
The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government publishes statistics in respect of a range of dog control responsibilities of the local authorities each year. Information up to 2013 is available on the Publications page of the Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/DogControl/ and I understand that statistics in respect of 2014 will be published shortly.
The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 is enforced by authorised officers of my Department, by An Garda Síochána and by authorised inspectors of the ISPCA and the DSPCA under service provisions of the Act. The Act also provides for the authorisation by local authorities of persons to carry out functions under the Act. If the Deputy has a concern in regard to a welfare issue at any dog pound he should contact both the Local Authority and my Department immediately.
