The Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council has welcomed the announcement of a major national awareness campaign, which aims to highlight the responsibilities of dog owners.
The campaign, entitled “it’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours”, was originally launched in April 2024, and was announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Martin Heydon TD this morning.
The campaign follows on from a series of initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of dog owners’ responsibilities, such as increases in on-the-spot fines up to €300, and an additional €2 million to support dog pounds in 2023 and a further €2 million in 2024.
Furthermore, the Dog Control Stakeholder Group was established in 2024, and regulations to ban XL Bully type dogs were also introduced last year.
Speaking to KCLR News, Cllr. Fergal Browne welcomed the campaign.
“I’m a dog owner myself, they’re a fantastic animal and companion, but there are responsibilties with a dog, and obviously, the big issue for farmers is having livestock attacked.”
“I’d welcome the fact that the Ministers have put in funding for up to 40 extra dog wardens, and increased resources for the dog pounds in every county.”
He concluded by noting that “One of my work colleagues was walking to work lately, and she got bitten by a dog, and required several stitches, so it is amazing what can happen out there.”
