Number of dogs lifted “moving up” - says county warden

Dangerous breeds, littering, control and “grey areas” in the law were among the broad range of issues discussed when the Cavan County dog warden gave a presentation to members of the Cavan Joint Policing Committee last week.

Speaking to the gathering attended by councillors, TDs, a senator and local community representatives, dog warden Oliver O’Reilly gave a frank and open assessment of his role, including the challenges he faces, both on the ground and legislatively.

A former roads man, he was first appointed to the role by Cavan County Council seven years ago.

There are, he said, “always complaints” about dogs, however his preferred approach is to issue a warning to the owner before reaching for his fine book. “Generally people are compliant,” he says.

The issue of litter, including dog faeces, a bug bear for many, was not within his remit but rather that of the county’s three appointed litter wardens.

“You’d want to be up at 6am and out again at 8pm to catch them,” Mr O’Reilly says of those who fail to pick up after their pets. He added that it's “hard to catch these people”, noting that resources are already stretched in terms of dealing with other litter issues throughout the county.

On the subject of restricted breeds, from bull terriers, to ridgebacks and German Shepards, he said each require a licence and their owners are furthermore required to have them muzzled in public.

“If I see that dog or a cross breed, I’ll tell their owners to keep them muzzled, and if I see them again, I will issue fines,” Mr O’Reilly informed the members.

Cavan has less problems in terms of restricted breeds compared to other larger urban areas, but he said often such animals are purchased by their owners simply for “status”.

There exists a 'one pet policy' in local authority provided housing, and this is explicitly stated in the signed tenancy agreement.

While he does not have the power to prosecute in the cases of noisy dogs, complainants can obtain a form (91.1) which issues from the courts.

The “problem”, Mr O’Reilly says, is that often people “don’t want to put their name down” to risk aggravating their neighbours.

“We get 10 calls a day but they won’t sign their name to it,” he said. “In my role as a warden, if I get a complaint, I will tell [the dog owner].”

Even still, without people following through on their complaint, disagreements over dog noise control can “fester”.

Mr O’Reilly is also on call for incidents such as a garda drug bust at a property where there’s a dog on site, or a where a person dies and an animal is left behind.

However, he has no involvement in inspecting dog breeding establishments, which fall within the remit of the County Veterinary Office. “I can go into a property and inspect the sheds but I can’t go into the dwelling.”

Animal welfare

In Cavan he works with the Cavan SPCA and other animal welfare organisations but it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to surrender dogs, with rescues closing across the country and less places available.

Mr O’Reilly responded to queries from committee members. The control of dogs on Cuilcagh was raised by chair of the JPC, Fianna Fáil Cllr John Paul Feeley. The response from Mr O’Reilly was that dog owners needed to “use common sense”, but accepted there was a “grey area” in the laws where the onus is on park rangers in forest parks to advise people.

Another “grey area” highlighted was in relation to an owner having “effective control” of a dog. This means dogs don't necessarily have to be kept on a leash, but their owners must be able to control their animal at all times.

Sheep kills

Deputy Brendan Smith TD (FF) raised the subject of sheep kills, highlighting how 70 were slaughtered by dogs in Tipperary towards the end of last year. He acknowledged the problem that exists where the legislative threshold falls between two departments - Agriculture and Housing and Local Government.

He asked that the Environmental Section at Cavan County Council make a submission asking that control of dogs fall under the responsibility of one Department, a proposal seconded by Patricia Walsh (FF).

Mr O’Reilly agreed that it would be helpful, and told Fine Gael’s Peter McVitty that farmers are entitled to shoot a dog worrying livestock.

“I’d do it myself,” stated Cllr McVitty, with Mr O’Reilly telling the meeting that farmers are required to inform gardaí within 24 hours of such an incident occurring.

On the issue of dog littering, highlighted by Cllr Madeleine Argue (FG), Mr O’Reilly suggested that better education at a young age is the best way forward. “National school children should be targeted and the dos and don’ts will follow them home.”

Mr O’Reilly outlined, after being asked by Sinn Féin’s Pauline Tully, that his role is seven days a week, 365 days of the year, and that where dogs are lifted off the street “accountability is 100 per cent”.

He said “most dogs” are rehomed, or if not, are sent to a rescue centre.

In relation to aggressive dogs, however, a decision is taken in conjunction with the county vet.

Regarding the number of animals put down, Mr O’Reilly said they were “good”, but beginning to move upwards. “They are moving up,” he said, with about 100-150 dogs impounded each year, and of that only two to three “put to sleep”.

Mr O’Reilly told Cllr Philip Brady (FF) he had “enough to do” in his role on a daily basis without issuing dozens more fines, which may or may not be paid, and invariably see him tied up in court appearances.

Others to participate in the discussion included Senator Joe O’Reilly (FG), Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind), and Cllr Patricia Walsh (FF).