Control of Dogs Act 1986

Number 32 of 1986

CONTROL OF DOGS ACT 1986

REVISED

Updated to 1 December 2023

This Revised Act is an administrative consolidation of the Control of Dogs Act 1986. It is prepared by the Law Reform Commission in accordance with its function under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975 (3/1975) to keep the law under review and to undertake revision and consolidation of statute law.

All Acts up to and including the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Act 2023 (31/2023), enacted 28 November 2023, and all statutory instruments up to and including the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Gas) Levy Order 2023 (S.I. No. 600 of 2023), made 1 December 2023, were considered in the preparation of this Revised Act.

Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in the preparation of this Revised Act, the Law Reform Commission can assume no responsibility for and give no guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up to date nature of the information provided and does not accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions. Please notify any errors, omissions and comments by email to

revisedacts@lawreform.ie.

Number 32 of 1986

CONTROL OF DOGS ACT 1986

REVISED

Updated to 1 December 2023

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Section
1.	Interpretation.
2.	Prohibition on keeping a dog without a licence.
3.	Issue of licences.
4.	Persons disqualified from holding a licence.
5.	Exemption from holding a licence.
6.	Transfer of dog licence.
7.	Duration of licence.
8.	Fee for licence.
9.	Control of dogs.
10.	Control of greyhounds.
11.	Stray dogs.
12.	Unwanted dogs.
13.	Finding of stray dogs.
14.	Register of seized dogs.
15.	Duties of a local authority.
16.	Powers of dog wardens.
17.	Bye-laws.
18.	Disqualification from keeping a dog.
19.	Regulation of premises and dogs.
20.	Amendment of Protection of Animals Act, 1911.
21.	Liability of owner for damage by dog.
22.	Dangerous dogs.
23.	Defence in action for damages for shooting dog.
24.	Burial of carcases.
25.	Nuisance by barking dogs.
26.	Search warrants.
27.	Offences and penalties.
28.	Provisions regarding certain offences.
29.	Amendment of Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1965.
30.	Prosecution of offences.
31.	Regulations.
32.	Service of notices.
33.	Grants to local authorities and other bodies.
34.	Expenses of Minister.
35.	Extension of Act to other animals.
36.	Repeals.
37.	Short title and commencement.

SCHEDULE

Enactments Repealed

Acts Referred to
Animals Act, 1985	1985, No. 11
Civil Liability Act, 1961	1961, No. 41
Diseases of Animals Act, 1966	1966, No. 6
Dogs Act, 1871	1871, c. 56
Dogs Act, 1906	1906, c. 32
Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act, 1960	1960, No. 17
Dublin Police Act, 1839	2 & 3 Vict. c. 78
Dublin Police Act, 1842	5 & 6 Vict. c. 24
Finance Act, 1925	1925, No. 28
Finance Act, 1926	1926, No. 35
Finance Act, 1963	1963, No. 23
Finance Act, 1983	1983, No. 15
Foreshore Act, 1933	1933, No. 12
Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1976	1976, No. 20
Protection of Animals Act, 1911	1911, c. 27
Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1965	1965, No. 10
Protection of Animals Acts, 1911 and 1965
Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878	1878, c. 52
Statute of Limitations, 1957	1957, No. 6
Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act, 1851	14 & 15 Vict. c. 92
Towns Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854	17 & 18 Vict. c. 103
Town Police Clauses Act, 1847	10 & 11 Vict. c. 89
Wildlife Act, 1976	1976, No. 39

Number 32 of 1986

CONTROL OF DOGS ACT 1986

REVISED

Updated to 1 December 2023

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSING AND CONTROL OF DOGS AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROTECTION OF LIVESTOCK FROM WORRYING BY DOGS AND OTHERWISE TO AMEND AND EXTEND THE LAW RELATING TO DOGS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH. [17th December, 1986]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:

Annotations

Editorial Notes:

Collectively cited Control of Dogs Acts designated as primarily the responsibility of the Minister although functions conferred on local authorities (1.01.2002) by Local Government Act 2001 (37/2001), s. 63(2)(a) and sch. 12 part 1, S.I. No. 588 of 2001.

Revised Acts

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Control of Dogs Act 1986