Laois dog licence inspections under way in two towns
Laois dog owners be warned, Laois dog wardens are carrying out inspections across several towns in the county to check dog licences.
The county is home to thousands of dogs, but only a fraction of them have dog licences, statistics show.
In 2024, the number of dogs licenced in the whole of Ireland was just over 200,000, with about 4,000 licenced in Laois, which has a human population of over 90,000. About 100 lifetime dog licences were issued in Laois that year.
Laois recently got a second dog warden for the first time, after which new inspections began to check for valid licences. Inspections have already taken place in Portarlington and Mountrath. Now two more towns are under the spotlight.
“Dog wardens will be conducting dog licensing checks in Mountmellick, Clonaslee and the surrounding areas of County Laois. These inspections will begin on May 26 and will continue over the following weeks.
“All dog owners in these areas are advised to ensure their dogs are properly licensed and to have their dog licence available for inspection by the Dog Warden,” a notification by Laois Dog Shelter says.
Dog owners can buy a licence at any post office or online at www.licences.ie
An annual dog licence costs €20, valid for a year. A lifetime Dog Licence costs €140.
Legal requirements for dog owners include that all dogs must now wear an ID tag attached to their collar, showing the name and address of the owner.
All dogs must be kept under effectual control and accompanied at all times in public places. Restricted breeds must wear a muzzle and be on a short lead, led by someone aged over 16 years. When walking dogs near livestock, they must always be kept on a lead.
The dog warden service is run by Laois County Council.