Control of Dogs Act, 1986

spiderdan

In December our dog got out of the house and was detained by the dog warded, that day we collected her paid a release fee, and produced a valid license, end of the story as far as we were concerned, and the dog pound. Two weeks later we received a fine from the city council of 100e for failing to keep our dog under control. In the letter, it says we were made aware of the fine by the dog warden, not once was this mentioned to us over the phone or in person when collecting her, the dog pound said how well-behaved she was. Can the council just issue fines like this without notifying people in advance? Any info I can find seems to say they are on-the-spot fines to be issued when the offense occurs. I don't understand how we can be issued with more fines/penalties weeks later. I have questioned this with the council and they seem to be backtracking over the fact we were never told about the fine in the pound when collecting. If anyone had experience with these fines being issued after the fact without prior knowledge it would be great to know where I stood legally. I had no problem paying the release fee on the day, but getting a second penalty weeks later without being told doesn't sit right. TIA

Jim_Hodge

Two very different charges. A fine for the dog not being under control and a pound fee. The demeanour of the dog has no bearing.

F1ngers

From reading your post, there is no "2nd penalty weeks later".

One was a release fee to recover your dog and two weeks later you got a fine for failing to keep your dog under control.

Am I missing something?

spiderdan

The question I have is why wasn't I told about the fine on the day. Nobody said anything about a fine. If you are in breach of a law/bye-law aren't you supposed to be told when the offense happens?

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120147084#Comment_120147084

No you don't have to be told at the time. Did you talk to the warden and the pound or only the pound, out of curiosity?

spiderdan

Hi, the man at the pound didn't say if he was the warden or not, said very little apart from commenting how she was very well-behaved. There wasn't any mention of a fine to be sent in the post.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120147403#Comment_120147403

That's not the dog warden.

Data Analyst

One is a fee, One is a fine

costacorta

Can I ask what breed of dog you have? Unusual for wardens to take to pound unless they couldn’t find owner . Has he / she a microchip as tgat would have given warden address .