Just over half of the fines issued to dog owners last year in the Shannonside Northern Sound region were paid. Figures from the Local Authority Control of Dogs Report for 2022, show 58 on the spot fines were issued last year to owners of dogs in breach of the law.
According to the report, no one was prosecuted by local authorities for a failure to pay. Animal Welfare Organisations have called for strict enforcement of existing animal cruelty legislation.
Monaghan County Council issued the highest amount of fines through the county dog warden in 2022 at 36, with 21 paid. 14 fines were handed down to dog owners in Cavan, with just two being paid. Leitrim saw three fines paid out of six issued, while only two fines were recorded in Roscommon, one of which was paid.
Longford County Council saw no fines issued to the owners of animal in breach of the control of dogs act last year. Nationally, 106 people were prosecuted by local authorities for non payment, with 25 of them convicted.
