Dog owners have many responsibilities, not just for the welfare of the dog but also legally.  Failure to comply with these responsibilities could lead to fine, imprisonment or both.  Dog wardens along with An Garda Siochána enforce this legislation.  The main legislation relating to dog control is the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 and the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act, 1992. Under this legislation as well as the Pounds (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935, local authorities are responsible for the control of dogs within their functional area. They must provide a pound and they also appoint dog wardens. 

Dog wardens have the power to seize dogs, issue on the spot fines and prosecute owners who are in breach of the law.

Local authorities either operate the pound within their functional area themselves or contract the service out to private operators or welfare groups.

As a dog owner you are liable for any injury or damage to people or livestock caused by your animal.

You may  be disqualified from keeping a dog on conviction of cruelty under the existing animal welfare legislation, the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1965.

Licences
 All dogs over the age of 4 months must have a licence.

• You must be over 16 to obtain a licence
• Dogs must be accompanied by, and under the effectual control of a responsible person when it is outside your home
• Wardens may ask for your licence and can fine you if you can’t produce one 
• Licences are not needed for guide dogs, dogs in the possession of a local authority or the Gardaí or imported into the state for under 30 days 
• A licence may be obtained at a post office, and in some cases from the local authority or online 
• A standard dog licence costs €20, a lifetime licence is €140 and a general dog licence (or more than 25 dogs) is €400

Identification:

•  Dogs must wear a collar with an identity tag containing the owners name and address
  
•  Failure to comply may result in a fine
  

Strays:

• A stray dog may be picked up by a dog warden, Garda, or a member of the pubic and brought to the nearest dog pound
  
• Strays have just 5 days to be claimed by their owners. After this they may be destroyed and many are
  

• To reclaim a dog from a pound you must pay a reclaim fee and produce a dog licence. If you don’t have a current licence you must purchase one before you can claim your dog
  

Unwanted dogs:

• Unwanted dogs may be surrendered to the local dog pound. Surrendered dogs can be destroyed immediately
  

Powers of dog wardens:

• May request the name and address of any individual suspected of a breach of the Control of Dogs Act.
  

• They may seize and detain a dog to ascertain if an offence has been committed
  

•  May enter a premises (other than a residence) where 5 or more dogs are kept
  

• Obstruction of a dog warden in the course of his/her work is an offence
  

Bye-laws:

• Local authorities may introduce bye-laws imposing extra restrictions on dogs and their owners in their functional area
  

• These may apply to leashing of dogs or even prohibition of dogs in certain areas
  

• Check with your local authority as to the specific bye-laws applicable in your area.
  

Dog fouling:

•  It is an offence under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 to allow your dog to foul in a public place
  

•  Any faeces produced by a dog must be removed and disposed of in a sanitary manner by the owner
  

• Fines are applicable for breaches under this legislation
  

Noise pollution (barking dogs):

• Excessive barking is an offence if it causes a nuisance to others
  

• An order may be made by the District Court requiring that the barking be reduced. A limit may be placed on the number of dogs kept at a premises or a dog may be removed by a warden
  

• If you are affected by nuisance barking you can complain to the District Court yourself
  

Guard dogs:
Rules and restrictions pertaining to guard dogs are included in the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 (Guard Dogs) Regulations, 1988 and the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 (Guard Dogs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1989.

In summary:

• A guard dog must be accompanied by its’ handler or properly secured
  
• Premises owners must place a notice at the entrance to the premises informing the public of the presence of the guard dog
  
• The dog must have a collar and disc  with owners details
  

• The dog must have an electronic implant containing a permanent identification mark
  

Restricted Breeds list:
The Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations, 1991 impose restrictions on certain breeds.  This was updated in 1998 and the details are set out below.

Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998:

Leashing and Muzzling
 Applies to:

•  American Pit Bull Terrier
  

•  Bull Mastiff
  

•  Doberman Pinscher
  

•  English Bull Terrier
  

•  German Shepherd (Alsatian)
  

• Japanese Akita
  

• Japanese Tosa
  

• Rhodesian Ridgeback
  

• Rottweiler
  

• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  

• Bandog
  

and to every other strain or cross of every breed or type of dog described

The dogs on the restricted breeds list must be:

•  securely muzzled 
  

•  on a sufficiently strong chain or leash, not exceeding two metres in length
  

•  lead by a person over the age of sixteen years who is capable of controlling the said dog.
  

Exemptions:

Articles 5 and 6 shall not apply to a dog which is kept by:

• An  Garda Siochána or by the Defence Forces
• The Dublin Port and Docks Board Harbour Police or by an Airport Police Fire Service at a State Airport
  

• The  Central Fisheries Board or a Regional Fisheries Board
  

• The Customs and Excise service of the Revenue Commissioners
  

• A bona fide rescue team for the purpose of searching for a missing person or being trained for such searching
  

• Being trained by a bona fide training establishment for use by a person who is unable to find their way without guidance, or, having been so trained, is being used for the purpose of guidance by such a person
  

Exemptions from holding a licence for dogs which are kept by:

• A member or officer of the Defence Forces
  

• An official of the Customs and Excise service of the Revenue Commissioners
  

• And used wholly in the execution of official duties