Penalties
Penalties for breaches of the Control of Dogs Acts, Regulations or Bye Laws range from €100 “on the spot fines” which are issued by the Dog Wardens, to maximum fines of €1,269.74 and/or 3 months imprisonment which may be imposed by the District Court.
Details of fines for various offences related to dog ownership are as follows:
| Nature of Alleged Offence | Relevant Section of Act |
| Keeping a dog without a licence, contrary to section 2 of the Act |
Section 27(1)(a) €150.00 |
|
Taking possession of a dog pursuant to a change of ownership without having a relevant general dog licence and before the issue of a dog licence in respect of that dog, contrary to section 2 of the Act. |
Section 27(1)(a) €150.00 |
|
Transferring possession of a dog pursuant to a change of ownership to another person who is not the holder of a dog licence in respect of that dog or of a relevant general dog licence, contrary to section 2 of the Act. |
Section 27(1)(a) €150.00 |
|
Permitting a dog of which you are the owner or other person in charge to be in a place other than –
|
Section 27(1)(b) €300.00 |
|
Permitting a greyhound, which is not being led by means of a sufficiently strong chain or leash, to be in a public place contrary to section 10 of the Act. |
Section 27(1)(b) €250.00 |
|
Leading or causing or permitting to be led by any one person, more than four greyhounds at a time in a public place, contrary to section 10 of the Act. |
Section 27(1)(b) €250.00 |
|
Having found or taken possession of a stray dog, failing to
detain the dog and give notice in writing containing a description of the dog, the address of the place where it was found, and the address of the place where it was detained to the member in charge of the nearest Garda Station to the place where the dog was found, or to a dog warden, contrary to section 13 of the Act. |
Section 27(1)(b) €150.00 |
|
Failing to deliver to a dog warden a stray dog which you seized where you believed that the dog had worried or was about to worry livestock, contrary to section 13 of the Act. |
Section 27(1)(b) €150.00 |
|
Failing to produce, within ten days of being requested to do so by a dog warden, a dog licence, or a general dog licence in respect of a dog of which you are the owner or in charge or in possession, contrary to section 16 of the Act. |
Section 27(1)(c) €150.00 |
|
Failing to ensure that a dog wears a collar bearing the name and address of the owner inscribed thereon or on a plate, badge or disc attached thereto, contrary to article 6 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998. |
Section 27(1)(f) €200.00 |
| Altering, defacing, mutilating, or rendering illegible the particulars on a collar worn by a dog, or on a plate, badge or disc attached thereto, contrary to article 6 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998 |
Section 27(1)(f) €200.00 |
| Allowing a dog to wear a collar, or a plate, badge or disc attached thereof, which has been altered, defaced, mutilated, or rendered illegible or upon which the particulars have become illegible, contrary to article 6 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998. |
Section 27(1)(f) €200.00 |
| Allowing a dog that is required to be leashed in a public place to be unleashed in a public place, contrary to article 5 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998 |
Alt/Section 27(1)(f) €300.00 |
| Allowing a dog that is required to be led in a public place, by a person over the age of sixteen years who is capable of controlling the dog to be otherwise led in a public place, contrary to article 5 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998. |
Alt/Section 27(1)(f) €300.00 |
| Allowing a dog that is required to be muzzled in a public place to be unmuzzled in a public place, contrary to article 5 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998. |
Alt/Section 27(1)(f) €300.00 |