1,276 fines for dog control in Cork in five years

Some 1,276 fines have issued throughout Cork under dog-control laws over the past five years, new government data has revealed.

Cork city saw no fines issued at all in the years 2020 and 2021, while just 12 were issued in 2022, 22 in 2023, and 46 in 2024.

Meanwhile, in the county, a total of 292 fines were issued in 2020, which fell to 170 in 2021, but rose again to 260 in 2022, and with 251 issued in 2023 and 223 in 2024.

Cork county had the second-highest number of fines issued in Ireland last year, despite a slight decrease from previous years.

Cork city’s considerably lower figures, which were provided to Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn, were still higher than most other local authorities last year.

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon said that since June of this year, all policy and responsibility for the control of dogs now rests with his department, but that local authorities retain responsibility for enforcing the law.

Fines for the most serious offences have trebled, from €100 to €300.

Under the law, an on-the-spot fine of €150 can be issued for not having a dog licence, €200 for not having ID for your dog, and €300 for a dog not being kept under control.

For any of the offences, a dog owner can be prosecuted in the district court with a maximum fine of €2,500 or three months in jail, or both.

Having a dog unleashed in public outside of the permitted hours can result in a fine of up to €2,500 on conviction.

Dog fouling in a public place can carry an on-the-spot fine of €150, while a court prosecution for the same offence can result in a maximum fine of €4,000.