Responsible dog ownership

• Any dog you own must be microchipped by the time they are 12 weeks of age
• Any dog you own must be licensed by the time they are four months of age
• Your dog must be under your control, or the control of another responsible person, if it is outside your home or premises.
• You are liable for any injury or damage your dog causes to people or livestock.
• You can be disqualified from keeping a dog if you have been convicted of cruelty to a dog under the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965.
• A dog must always wear a collar. A collar must have the name and the address of the owner.
• It is an offence to let a dog under your control foul a public place.
• If you have a dog that is no longer wanted, please contact your local branch of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. You may also place them for adoption through Dogstop for a minimal fee.
• A guard dog used at a non-residential business premises must be accompanied by a handler or secured so that it cannot roam freely around the premises or escape. A notice must be displayed at the entrance, informing the public that a guard dog is on the premises. The guard dog must wear a collar displaying the name and address of its owner. It must also carry an electronic implant containing a permanent identification mark provided by the ISPCA. This implant must be inserted by or under the direct supervision of a veterinary surgeon authorised by the ISPCA. The dog owner is responsible for the cost involved in inserting the implant. Kennels where more than 5 guard dogs aged over 4 months are kept must register with the local authority. There are specific rules about keeping guard dogs.
• There are certain dog breeds that Additional rules apply to.
• Dogs are the best, treat them that way.

Important Contact Information:

Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

National Animal Centre
Derryglogher Lodge
Keenagh
Co. Longford
Ireland

Tel: +353 (0)43 332 5035

Fax: +353 (0)43 332 5024

Homepage: http://www.ispca.ie/

Email: info@ispca.ie

The Department of Rural and Community Development publishes statistics on dog control.

Further information is available here