Dog Licences

All dogs over four months old are required to be licensed, with the exception of Guide dogs.

Licences are available from any Post Office or online at www.licences.ie. Annual licences cost €20 per year, and lifetime licences cost €140 which cover the lifetime of the dog.

With effect from 31st March 2016, all dogs must be microchipped and registered on an approved database.

The Control of Dogs Act 1986 requires owners to:

• be over 16 years old
• licence their dogs every year
• keep them under control in public places
• not let their dogs wander unaccompanied
• make good any damage their dogs cause
• prevent the nuisance of excessive barking (neighbours are entitled to complain about excessive barking to the District Court)

Penalties are in place for those who do not comply with Dog Control Regulations.

Cork City Council Parks, Open Spaces and Cemeteries By-Laws 2011 require that a dog brought into a park, cemetery or open space in Cork City borough, and while on any property owned by the Cork City Council, whether in the City or County must:

• be held on a leash at all times
• not cause any annoyance to any other user of that space
• not chase, injure or disturb any animal, bird or other creature