Ministers Calleary and Heydon Launch Awareness Campaign Aimed at Dog Owners
Ministers Calleary and Heydon launch awareness campaign aimed at dog owners
- Strict embargo 0.01am Monday 24th March
- Awareness campaign to highlight the responsibilities of dog owners
- Campaign to address attacks on humans and livestock
Minister for Rural and Community Development, and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Martin Heydon TD have today (24th March 2025) launched a major national awareness campaign to remind dog owners of their responsibilities.
The campaign which was originally launched in April 2024 entitled – ‘It’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours’ – is aimed at highlighting the responsibility of dog owners. It will address the harm that uncontrolled dogs can do to people and to livestock.
Launching the campaign, Minister Calleary said:
In the vast majority of cases, dog owners are very responsible, care greatly for their dogs and do their best to ensure they are kept under control.
The problem is that some dog owners think their dog can do no harm. The harsh reality is that, occasionally, uncontrolled dogs cause serious harm to children, livestock and other dogs in towns and villages across the country.
The goal of this campaign is to promote responsible ownership and make sure everyone is clear about their legal requirements.
Dog owners must be aware that if your dog injures people or animals, you are responsible.
The main message here is: ‘your dog is your responsibility.’
Minister Heydon said:
I want this campaign to make people think twice about letting their dog loose and uncontrolled.
We have to remember that dog owners have serious responsibilities in every setting, but a particular focus is needed in rural areas where we are currently in lambing season.
The harm that out-of-control dogs can do to sheep and lambs is financially and emotionally devastating for farm families.
There can be zero tolerance for people who do not keep their dogs under proper control.
Promoting Responsible Dog Ownership
This campaign follows closely from a series of related initiatives:
- Increases in on-the-spot fines up to €300 including trebling of fines for serious offences
- Additional €2 million to support dog pounds in 2023 and a further €2 million in 2024
- The establishment of the Dog Control Stakeholder Group in 2024
- Introduction of regulations to ban XL Bully type dogs in 2024
- The recruitment of up to 40 additional dog wardens this year
The campaign will run from 24th March 2025 until 20th April 2025 across radio, podcasts, print, out of home, and online media.
Visit gov.ie/dogs or gov.ie/madraí to find out more.
Transfer of Dog Control Functions
The dog control functions that are currently the responsibility of the Minister for Rural and Community Development, and the Gaeltacht are to be transferred to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Arrangements are being put in place to ensure a seamless continuation of the delivery of services
Dog Control Support Initiative
In 2023, €2 million in capital funding was provided to local authorities intended to provide once-off financial support towards local authority dog control facilities and vehicles to enable them to deliver services, meet service demands and ensure better outcomes for the dogs in their care, and ultimately for the communities they serve.
A further €2 million in funding was provided again in 2024.
| Offence | Relevant section | Updated fine amount |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping or transferring possession of a dog contrary to Section 2 of the Act | Section 27(1)(a) | €150 |
| Dog not in effectual control | Section 27(1)(b) contrary to Section 9(1) | €300 |
| Greyhound not properly controlled | Section 27 (1) (b) contrary to Section 10 | €250 |
| Stray dog found and not dealt with in the correct manner | Section 27 (1) (b) contrary to subsection (1) or (2) of Section 13 | €150 |
| No dog licence | Section 27(1)(c) | €150 |
| Restricted dog not properly controlled | Section 27 (1)(f) contrary to Article 5 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998 | €300 |
| No / incorrect collar / ID | Section 27 (1)(f) contrary to Article 6 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998 | €200 |
Resourcing of Dog Warden Service
€2 million in funding has been provided by Government to support the recruitment of up to 40 additional dog wardens from 2025. This funding is currently being distributed to local authorities.