Fines over unlicenced dogs in Limerick remain unpaid

IT was revealed this week that only four fines relating to unlicenced dogs were paid in Limerick last year.

Statistics published by the Department of Rural and Community Development show that while 28 on-the-spot fines were issued by Limerick City and County Council in 2018, fewer than a fifth of these were paid.

There were no prosecutions or convictions.

The figures show the the local authority spent €220,524 on administering the Control of Dogs Acts locally last year –  €70,000 more than the local authority had projected.

Limerick City and County Council employs two dog wardens on a full-time basis, and one on a part-time basis.

The figures published this week do not include fines and prosecutions for dog fouling under the Waste Management Act.

Elsewhere in the figures, which were released by Junior Minister Sean Canney, there were 200 stray dogs entering the pound in 2018.

Some 148 dogs were surrendered, while 44 were reclaimed and 94 were rehomed.

A total of 187 dogs transferred to dog welfare groups, while 23 were put down. 7,146 individual dog licences were issued in Limerick.

Across Ireland, 1,654 on-the-spot fines were issued.