Do I need to license my dog?

By law all dogs in Ireland over the age of 4 months must have a licence.

Dog licences are issued by post offices or local authorities. The revenue from them finances the operation of dog control services.

In order to obtain a dog licence, you must be over 16 years of age.

All dogs over 4 months of age must have a licence. Puppies under 4 months who are still with their mothers do not need licences but once they leave their mothers they must have a licence.

Your dog must be accompanied by and be under your effective control or the control of another responsible person if it is outside your home or premises or the home or premises of the person in charge of it.

A dog warden can ask you to produce evidence of your dog licence and failure to do so can result in an on the spot fine. Failure to pay this fine within a specified period can result in prosecution by the local authority.

If you arer found to have a dog with no dog licence then you will receive an on the spot fine of €30 payable to your local authority. If this fine is not paid it lead to prosecution in the District Court with a maximum fine of €1904.61 and/or 3 months imprisonment.

An individual dog licence costs €12.70 and is valid for one year.