Veterinary Services

 

Abattoirs

In accordance with the terms of the Abattoirs Act, 1988 Laois County Council’s Veterinary Section is required to provide and supervise ante and post mortem inspections of all animals slaughtered for human consumption in abattoirs licenced annually under the act and located within its functional area.

Laois County Council’s Veterinary Section is also responsible for carrying out functions in relation to food protection and implements the terms and conditions of the Service Contract between the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and Laois County Council.

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Animal Welfare

For all animal welfare / cruelty issues contact either:

ISPCA National Animal Helpline No.(All Animal Welfare Issues):0818 515 515.

Dept. of Agriculture, No. (All Farm Animal Welfare Issues): 01 607 2379

Information on the Control of Horses is looked after by the Estate Management Section for the Council.

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Dog Breeding Establishments

Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010

On the 1st January 2012, the above Act came into force. All premises where  six or more female dogs are kept which are more than 6 months old and capable of being used for breeding purposes are required to be registered under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010. Any premises to which the new regulations apply will need to register with their local authority and ensure that their premises conform to the guidelines. Failure to register with your local authority is an offence. A scale of fees applies.

Application Form to Register a Dog Breeding Establishment

 

Revised Set of Guidelines for Dog Breeding Establishments Act

The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) has put in place a revised set of Guidelines for Dog Breeding Establishments. These have now been published on the Department’s website.

The revised Guidelines come into effect on 1 January 2019.  A copy of the revised Guidelines, colour coded to show the changes made to the previous guidelines, taking into account the responses received through the public consultation process, where appropriate, and also from consultation with industry experts has also been published.

Please find  links to  Press Release here  https://drcd.gov.ie/  and the Guidelines here  https://drcd.gov.ie/dog-control/

Details of Dog Breeding Establishments on the register in Co. Laois are listed below:

Reg No. Name of Owner / Operator Address of
Place your columns in this container.
Establishment		 Max no. of breeding bitches that can be allowed at this establishment No. of Conditions (if any)
LCC 01 Desmond Foot Clonmount Kennels, Cloncannon, Mountmellick, Laois 100 None
LCC 04 Fintan Bergin Ballinla, Ballaghmore, Borris in Ossory, Laois 18 None
LCC 06 Lorraine Fennell Killeen, Maganey, Laois 18 None
LCC 07 Laois Hunt  c/o David Lalor Beechfield House, Abbeyleix, Laois 30 None
LCC 16 Keith Cash Dangaroe, Castletown, Laois 18 None
LCC 18 John Drumm Clonaghadoo, Laois 30 5

 

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Dog Licence

It is a legal requirement that if you own a dog you must have a current dog licence. This licence must be renewed annually and the fees are as follows:

  • Individual Dog Licence – €20.00 can be purchased at any Post Office or online at licences.ie
  • Lifetime Dog Licence – €140.00 can be purchased at any Post Office or online at licences.ie
  • General Dog Licence – €400.00 can be purchased from the Environment Section of the County Council.

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Dog Warden

Laois Dog Warden Services

The Dog Warden is Mr. Tristan Blundell and the Laois Dog Pound is situated at Tentore, Ballacolla, Co. Laois. To contact the Dog Warden, please telephone the Laois Dog Pound on 057 – 8734067 or mobile 086-2556298 or email laoisdogwarden@gmail.com

The Dog Warden deals with issues such as lost and found dogs, dog surrenders and complaints regarding dogs.  The Dog Warden d does not deal with issues regarding dogs barking.  In accordance with the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 any person can make a complaint to the District Court for nuisance caused by a barking dog.

Dog Pound General Opening Hours:

  • Monday: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday: CLOSED
  • Thursday: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

All other times by appointment only. The Dog Pound is not open on public holidays.

Dog Pound Charges

Owners must provide a current dog licence before any dog is reclaimed or rehomed or before any dog may leave the dog pound.

  • Reclaimed dogs: €30 per dog recovery charge plus a boarding charge of €10 per day.
  • Microchip and registration charge: €20
  • Rehomed dogs: A new licence or general licence must be produced. Photo ID is required. If living in rented accommodation a letter from the landlord is required

 

Useful Contact Numbers and Resources

  • Laois Dog Pound/Shelter 057 – 8734067
  • I.SP.C.A. NATIONAL ANIMAL HELPLINE 1890 515 515
  • LAOIS S.P.C.A. 087 6883333

Facebook Page:  http://www.facebook.com/LaoisDogPoundShelter  This page has up-to-date information and details of animals that are available for rehoming.

Laois Dog Pound:  Photos of all Found/Stray Dogs that have come into Laois Dog Pound & Dogs that are available to Rehome

Citizen Information on CONTROL OF DOGS

Animal Health & Welfare Act, 2013

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Responsible Dog Ownership

Laois County Council actively encourage and promote responsible dog ownership.  Our  Responsible Dog Ownership Booklet is a free guide on how to become a better dog owner and focuses on the importance of cleaning up dog fouling, dog control, dog licences/tags and identifies what you can do if you are troubled with excessive noise caused by dog barking.  The booklet is available to download here:

Responsible Dog Ownership DRCD DAFM

Úinéireacht Fhreagrach Madraí DAFM DRCD

Additional copies are also available at various Vet Surgeries and from the Environment Section (Phone 057 867 4332).

Litter Enforcement Officers will be conducting foot patrols and will highlight that not cleaning up after your dog is subject to an On The Spot Litter Fine of €150.  Signage highlighting this fact has been placed in various locations around the County.

 

Video on responsible dog ownership from the Department of Rural & Community:  https://fb.watch/jn-34RR-mm/

 

How to Make A Complaint regarding the Control of Dogs:

  1. Ring the Dog Warden / dog pound on 057 8734067 or mobile 086 2556298.
  2. Email your complaint to laoisdogwarden@gmail.com
  3. Make a written complaint on the Control of Dogs Complaints Form and address to:  Administrative Officer, Environment Department, Laois County Council, Aras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Laois
  4. Ring Environmental Hotline 1800 323 230.  The Hotline is staffed during normal office hours.  Messages left outside office hours will be dealt with during the next working day.

When making a dog-related complaint, please include the following details:  Nature of the complaint, Time of the incident, Location of the incident, Return contact details

 

FOR ALL ANIMAL WELFARE/CRUELTY ISSUES CONTACT EITHER:

ISPCA National Animal Helpline No.(All Animal Welfare Issues): 0818 515 515.

Dept. of Agriculture, No. (All Farm Animal Welfare Issues): 01 607 27369

 

Complaints regarding excessive dog barking.

If you are bothered by persistent barking, talk to the dog owner in question. If this does not work, under the Control of Dogs Act 1986, you can lodge an official complaint with your Local District Court. You will be given a date when your complaint will be heard and a copy of the Section 25 Form. Write the name and address of the noisy dog’s owner, your name, and the date and time when your complaint is to be heard in the District Court on the form. Sign and date it, and give it to the  dog’s owner 7 days before  your complaint is due to be heard. The dog’s owners has this time to resolve the problem.

The form for application to the District Court can be downloaded here: Control of Dogs Act 1986 – Section 25

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