Dog licence checks being carried out in this Kildare town
The licence checks are being carried out in Celbridge, Co Kildare
Dog wardens are currently carrying out dog licence checks in the Celbridge, Co Kildare area, a recent meeting of Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District has heard.
Confirmation followed a question tabled by Cllr David Trost (FF) at the meeting, held on Friday May 15 last.
Cllr Trost asked the council if the dog wardens had a “specific schedule” of when they visit Celbridge/Ardclough, “or is it based on direct complaints from residents on an ad hoc basis, as local visibility is very important?”
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Trost said perhaps it was “just a coincidence” that the dog warden was visiting the Celbridge area to check on dog licences, a fact he welcomed.
He realised, he said, that Celbridge covers a large area, but the public did like to see “activity on the ground” in terms of the activities of the dog warden.
Cllr Trost said perhaps dog warden activity could be carried out on a rota basis, which would ensure that visibility was maintained and that adequate enforcement was carried out.
A council official, responding to Cllr Trost, stated that the dog wardens are “very proactive”, and that Celbridge just happened to be “next on the list” for enforcement of dog licences.
The dog wardens, he said, would be checking “every residence” for a dog licence.
The dog wardens, he added, have their own schedule, and this is not made aware to the council, which is “probably for the best.”
A report from the council stated that the dog warden service is contracted to a third party – employing three wardens – on behalf of Kildare County Council, with its personnel working closely with other agencies, including An Garda Síochána (AGS).
The report noted that the warden’s role and responsibilities include:
- Dealing with queries and complaints from the public, supporting enforcement actions and related court proceedings;
- Investigating complaints from the public in relation to dogs;
- Working in close co-operation with AGS in relation to matters pertaining to control of dogs;
- Co-ordinating activities in relation to the control of stray dogs and the operation of the pound.
The report confirmed that currently two wardens are carrying out licence checks in the Celbridge area, and that the wardens typically operate on a “responsive, countywide basis.”
If Cllr Trost had specific areas of concern, he may contact the Environment Department who can liaise with the dog wardens accordingly, the report concluded.