Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
594. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if pounds are allowed refuse to re-home dogs by virtue of their breed; if pounds are permitted to hide dogs and not advertise their existence in the pound, for whatever reason; and the reason dogs surrendered by owners are not included in the pound register and are treated differently from stray dogs. [25744/15]
View answerI refer to the reply to Questions Nos 602 and 603 of 23 June 2015. Section 11(7) of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 gives the local authority discretion, after 5 days following the making of an entry in the register, to dispose of or destroy in a humane manner, stray dogs unclaimed by their owner having given notice to that owner or person in charge of the dog, if such owner or other person is known or can be readily ascertained.
Details of all dogs seized by a dog warden of a local authority, and dogs detained by another person and notified to the dog warden, must be entered into the register maintained in accordance with section 14 of the Act as an aid to persons whose dogs have strayed or otherwise been lost. As unwanted dogs have been surrendered by the owner, there would be no similar purpose served by requiring their details to be included in the register. The register is open for inspection at all reasonable times by any interested person.
