New govt aims to increase number of dog wardens nationwide
The new government has made a commitment to increase the number of dog wardens across the country, according to the draft programme for government.
The government has said it will expand the garda dog unit and "complete a new centre of excellence", along with addressing the "disjointed" approach to dog control issues.
This approach will be addressed by ensuring all legislation and policy in relation to the control of dogs, dog welfare and dog breeding establishments are dealt with through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
Chair of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) national sheep committee, Adrian Gallagher said that the roll out of further dog wardens may "help" control the dog worrying situation for sheep farmers.
"There are still counties in Ireland that do not have a full time dog warden, so something has to change," Gallagher said.
According to the most up to date figures on dog control from the Department of Rural and Community Development, 2023 saw an increase in reports of livestock worrying, with 276 incidents reported.
A break down of livestock incidences per county, according to the department in 2023 can be seen below:
| Local authority | No. of incidences of livestock worrying |
|---|---|
| Carlow | 2 |
| Cavan | 7 |
| Clare | 12 |
| Cork City | 0 |
| Cork County | 62 |
| Donegal | 8 |
| Dublin City | 0 |
| Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown | 1 |
| South Dublin | 5 |
| Fingal | 1 |
| Galway City | 0 |
| Galway County | 16 |
| Kerry | 8 |
| Kildare | 0 |
| Kilkenny | 5 |
| Laois | 11 |
| Leitrim | 6 |
| Limerick | 5 |
| Laois | 11 |
| Leitrim | 6 |
| Limerick | 5 |
| Longford | 3 |
| Louth | 13 |
| Mayo | 34 |
| Meath | 10 |
| Monaghan | 16 |
| Offaly | 1 |
| Roscommon | 3 |
| Sligo | 6 |
| Tipperary | 4 |
| Waterford | 21 |
| Westmeath | 7 |
| Wexford | 4 |
| Wicklow | 5 |
The number of dog wardens employed per county, according to the department, including full-time and part-time employees can be seen in the table below:
| Local authority | Full time | Part time |
|---|---|---|
| Carlow | 1 | 0 |
| Cavan | 1 | 0 |
| Clare | 1 | 2 |
| Cork City | 3 | 0 |
| Cork County | 6 | 3 |
| Donegal | 2 | 0 |
| Dublin City | 5 | 0 |
| Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown | 1 | 0 |
| South Dublin | 2 | 0 |
| Fingal | 4 | 2 |
| Galway City | 2 | 0 |
| Galway County | 2 | 0 |
| Kerry | 1 | 2 |
| Kildare | 2 | 0 |
| Kilkenny | 1 | 1 |
| Laois | 1 | 1 |
| Leitrim | 0 | 2 |
| Limerick | 2 | 1 |
| Longford | 1 | 2 |
| Louth | 3 | 0 |
| Mayo | 2 | 0 |
| Meath | 0 | 3 |
| Monaghan | 1 | 0 |
| Offaly | 1 | 1 |
| Roscommon | 1 | 1 |
| Sligo | 1 | 1 |
| Tipperary | 0 | 2 |
| Waterford | 2 | 1 |
| Westmeath | 1 | 1 |
| Wexford | 1 | 1 |
| Wicklow | 2 | 0 |
| Totals | 53 | 27 |
Gallagher said that the Dog Control Stakeholder Group is currently working towards changes within dog ownership and microchipping, along with making sure more dogs are licensed.
The group was established in March 2024, and is independently chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner, John Twomey.
The group includes members from various government departments, along with the IFA, An Garda Siochána, Dogs Trust, Veterinary Ireland, and other key stakeholders.
Gallagher said that while progress is being made for dog worrying with sheep, that "there is never enough".
He said that he would recommend funding for dog worrying be used for "an additional role" of a welfare officer in the area for dog worrying incidents.
