Dog Warden Service

Waterford County Council employs one full-time Dog Warden, Mr. Ollie Walsh to carry out its obligations under the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 in the county area.  Under the Act, every dog must be licensed and kept under effective control and must have a collar bearing the owner’s name and address. Failure to do so can result in on-the-spot fines of €30 and further court fines of up to €1,269.   During 2009 5,793 dog licences were issued by Waterford County Council.

To Contact the Dog Warden:

Please contact the Environment Section on the following numbers:

058 20864 or 058 22083

Restrictions on certain breeds of dog

The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 impose additional restrictions on the following breeds of dog or on strains or crosses of these breeds which have been designated as Restricted Breeds.

• 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

These dogs and strains or crosses of them are subject by law to the following restrictions when in a public place:

• must be securely muzzled
• must be led on a sufficiently strong chain or leash not greater than 2 metres in length by a person over 16 years of age who is capable of controlling the dog
• must have a collar bearing the name and address of the owner (this applies to all dogs)
  

These restrictions do not apply to dogs used by the Gardai, Harbour Police, Airport Police, Customs & Excise Service, Rescue teams or Guide Dogs for the Blind.