Dog fines in Galway City have been kept to the bare minimum for the second year in a row. Forty fines have been accounted for across the county in 2023.

Fines in the city

In stark comparison to Galway County, Galway City has kept a good reputation in tact, with regards to dog fines. The one fine which was recorded in 2022 was in relation to a border collie. This was echoed by Arlene Finn from the Galway City Council “Just the one fine was issued in 2022, under Section 27 (1)(b) contrary to Section 9(1), where the dog was not in effectual control.” 

2023 Fine 

The city had just the one blemish in relation to dog fines. The fine which took place last year was in Cappagh Park on the Cappagh Road. The cause of the fine was in relation to dog fouling and the main breed of the dog who committed the offence was a labrador according to the Galway City Council. Dog fouling in any jurisdiction constitutes a fine of up to €150 if the waste is not cleaned up by the owner of the animal.  

Opinion of experts 

Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó’Cuív is in favour of the fines being issued to owners of dogs who are caught committing offences. More surveillance can be done, but the issue around privacy is a concern according to Mr Ó’Cuív “The way to impose fines is to do what they have done with CCTV, however, you can’t infringe with the balancing of privacy.”

Other fines which did not raise any red flags in the city were licenses. All dog owners are permitted to have dog licenses in the country. Mr Ó’Cuív believes that fines should be most definitely installed “More enforcement should be introduced, and most dogs should be chipped.” 

Mr Ó’Cuív is also calling for those who leave faeces after their animals unattended should be properly identified.

More voices

Galway City west councillor John Connolly says that more power should be given to dog wardens in the city. “We should have more dog wardens that patrol areas were it is a persistent problem,” said Mr Connolly. 

“We must be enable community wardens that when the issues arise when they are on duty, they must be able to ask the person do they have something that would enable them to pick up the excrement after their dogs,” he added. 

Mr Connolly has also argued that most people who have dogs should have licenses for their pets.