What are the responsibilities of Dog Owners?
Galway City Council seeks to promote responsible dog ownership - the basis of which is licensing and control of dogs.
Dogs are wonderful pets and are loyal and dedicated companions. However, if you are considering taking a dog into your life, or if you already have a dog, it is important that you think seriously about the commitment that dog ownership entails. Being a dog owner is a huge responsibility - not only will you have responsibilities towards your dog, you will also have responsibilities towards your community.
1. It is every owner's moral duty and legal responsibility to clean up after their dog. Dog litter is a health hazard and ruins the environment for everyone. Pick up after your dog or face a fine of €150. Pooper scoopers are available free of charge at various public locations throughout the city and at City Hall, College Road, Galway.
2. Dogs should not be allowed to roam free in public areas, green areas or around neighbourhoods. A dog should be under the effectual control of their owner at all times and must wear a means of identification of the owner, such as a collar with name tag or badge.
3. Dangerous breeds should be kept on a lead and muzzled. For more information on dangerous breeds please view: What are the regulations about certain breeds of dogs question and answer further down?)
4. Every effort should be made by dog owners to ensure that dogs do not bark for long periods of time, thus causing distress and annoyance to neighbours.
5. All dogs must be licensed. An annual dog licence currently costs €20 and can be purchased from any post office.
For more information about purchasing a dog licence from An Post, please click here.
6. As of August 1st 2008, dogs are not permitted on Galway City beaches or their waters between the hours of 9 am and 8 pm during the months of May, June, July, August and September.
Before 9 am and after 8 pm during May to September, dogs are permitted on the beach provided they are on a leash and are not causing danger or nuisance. This bye-law relates solely to the Galway City beaches of Salthill, Grattan, Ballyloughane and Silverstrand and to their waters; the Promenade is not affected by its introduction.
7. New Regulations have been introduced providing for the microchipping and registration of all dogs by the 31st March 2016.
You must contact your veterinary practice, or search a compliant dog database for a non-veterinary implanter that has received the correct training as laid out in the Regulations.
An owner must ensure that the implanter is using a compliant microchip, and that the microchip will be registered to a compliant database.
View the dog control bye-laws for Galway City
Do I need a Dog Licence?
If you have a dog over 4 months old, you are legally required to have a licence for the dog.
Guide dogs for the blind and dogs that are in the country for less than 30 days do not require licensing.
Please find below a table of the different dog licence types, costs and where the licence can be purchased.
Dog Licence Rates
| Type of Dog Licence | Cost | Purchase From |
| Standard Individual Dog Licence | €20 | Online (See instructions below) or at any Post Office |
| General dog licences for multiple dogs (e.g. kennels) | €400 | Local Authority |
| Lifetime Dog licence | €140 | Online (See instructions below) or at any Post Office |
What is the cost of a Dog Licence?
Please find below a table of the different dog licence types, costs and where the licence can be purchased.
Dog Licence Rates
| Type of Dog Licence | Cost | Purchase From |
| Standard Individual Dog Licence | €20 | Online (See instructions below) or at any Post Office |
| General dog licences for multiple dogs (e.g. kennels) | €400 | Local Authority |
| Lifetime Dog licence | €140 | Online (See instructions below) or at any Post Office |
If you have a dog over 4 months old, you are legally required to have a licence for the dog.
Guide dogs for the blind and dogs that are in the country for less than 30 days do not require licensing.
To Purchase online follow the steps below.
1. By clicking on the link for the required licence type, you will be brought to Licences.ie and asked to sign in or register for an account to continue
2. If you don’t already have an account select Register and complete the short registration form and click the Register button
3. You will receive an Account Activation email. Click on the Activate button in this email. You will be brought directly to the application form you selected
4. Complete the form. Please note all compulsory fields, marked with a red asterisk, must be completed before you can pay for and submit your application
5. When you submit the form and pay you will receive a confirmation email notification
6. Your licence should issue to you by post within 10 working days
7. A copy of your application is available to view by clicking My Applications
What are dog owner's responsibilities re. Dog Fouling?
It is every dog owner's moral duty and legal responsibility to clean up after their dog.
Under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 it is an offence to allow a dog under your control to foul a public place. This means the owner/person in charge of the dog is required to remove dog faeces and dispose of them in a suitable, sanitary manner.
The owner/person in charge should ensure that they carry a dog waste bag with them at all times and dispose of it in a proper manner.
How do I contact a Dog Warden/Dog Pound?
A dog warden is on duty at the Ballybane Dog Pound, Tuam Road, Galway, Monday to Friday from 9.30 am - 10.30 am and from 4.00 pm - 5.00 pm. Outside of these times, the warden may be on patrol in the city.
The Dog Pound can be contacted on (091) 536400.
The Dog Warden
checks dog licences
investigates complaints about dangerous and uncontrolled dogs
operates the dog pound
Dog control is also monitored by Galway City Council's community wardens.
The powers of dog wardens include the power to request the name and address of a person where there are reasonable grounds for believing the person is committing, or has committed, an offence under the dog control legislation; to seize and detain any dog and to enter any premises (other than a dwelling), for the purpose of such seizure or detention. It is an offence to impede or obstruct a dog warden in carrying out his/her duties.
View Map of Dog Pound Location
Can I purchase a dog from the Dog Pound?
Dogs may be purchased from the Pound for €65.
(Note: Photo ID and Utility Bill required for registration of Micro-Chip)
What happens if my dog is impounded?
There is a basic charge of:
a) €50 to recover an Unlicenced Dog
b) €30 to recover a Licensed Dog
Along with €10 per Night of a shelter Rate(Max 5 Nights) & Any Veterinary Fees that may be applicable.
Are dogs allowed on beaches?
Since August 1st 2008, dogs are not permitted on Galway City beaches or their waters between the hours of 9 am and 8 pm during the months of May, June, July, August and September. Before 9 am and after 8 pm during May to September, dogs are permitted on the beach provided they are on a leash and are not causing danger or nuisance. This bye-law relates solely to the Galway City beaches of Salthill, Grattan, Ballyloughane and Silverstrand and to their waters; the Promenade is not affected by its introduction
View the dog control bye-laws for Galway City
What can I do about barking dogs?
Excessive dog barking that causes a nuisance is an offence. If possible, you should approach the person or business that owns the dog to explain the issue and try to resolve the matter. If this is not possible, a complaint about excessive barking should be made to the District Court. To do this, you must firstinform the dog owner in writing of your intention to submit a complaintto the District Court.
For more information on Noise Regulations and how to submit a noise complaint please visit www.citizensinformation.ie.
What are the regulations about certain breeds of dogs?
The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 impose rules in relation to the following breeds (and strains/cross-breeds) of dog:
American pit bull terrier
English bull terrier
Staffordshire bull terrier
Bull mastiff
Dobermann pinscher
German shepherd (Alsatian)
Rhodesian ridgeback
Rottweiler
Japanese akita
Japanese tosa
Bandog
The rules state that:
These dogs (or strains and crosses of them) must be kept on a short strong lead by a person over 16 years who is capable of controlling them
These dogs (or strains and crosses of them) must be muzzled whenever they are in a public place
These dogs (or strains and crosses of them) must wear a collar bearing the name and address of their owner at all times.
The rules on muzzling and leashing do not apply to dogs used by the Gardaí, the Dublin Harbour Police, State Airport Police and bona fide rescue teams in rescue operations. The rules on muzzling do not apply to guide dogs for the blind.
Furthermore, the Control of Dogs Act 1986 gives specific powers to the courts to order that a dog, which the court considers dangerous, must be kept under proper control or be destroyed.
XL Bully Regulations
On October 1st Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, introduced a new regulation under the Control of Dogs Act in relation to XL Bully Type Dogs. This regulation prohibits the ownership, keeping, purchase, disposal (whether by sale or otherwise), abandonment, allowing to stray, breeding or importation of XL Bully type dogs.
XL Bully owners will have between October 1st, 2024, and February 1st, 2025 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption. This certificate will be unique to each XL Bully type dog and owner. It will specify the dog’s licence details, microchip details, neutering details, age and description. It will also specify the dog owner’s name, address, date of birth and contact number. A Certificate of Exemption is issued by the Local Authority and authorises the owner of an XL Bully type dog to keep that dog at a particular premises until the natural end of the dog’s life.
Owners will be able to apply for a certificate of exemption from their local authority from 1st October subject to the dog being licensed, microchipped and neutered. Once these requirements are met, and a certificate obtained, XL bully owners will be permitted to keep their dog until the end of its natural life.
From February 1st, 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully type dog without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’ issued by your local authority - in this case Galway City Council.
Owners are reminded that as a cross of restricted breeds, XL Bully type dogs will remain subject to existing additional controls. This means when in a public place, these dogs must be securely muzzled and kept on a strong chain or leash (maximum 2metres in length) by a person over 16 years of age who is capable of controlling the dog.
Full details on the regulations can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e5d55-xl-bully-ban-ireland/
Forms:
XL Bully regulations FAQs -FAQs
What are the Dog Control Bye-Laws for Galway City?
View the dog control bye-laws for Galway City
Other Useful Links:
Citizens Information Bureau - Control of Dogs
Citizens Information Bureau - Noise Complaints
Can I surrender a Dog to Galway City Council Dog Pound?
An Unlicenced Dog can be surrendered for a Fee of €50 & a Licenced Dog can be surrendered for a fee of €25
(N.B. Copy of Licence Required)