Less than 20% of dog owners paid fines

Thousands of dog owners have ignored on-the-spot fines issued last year.

Figures published by the Department of the Environment show fewer than one in five owners paid the penalty. Just 858 owners out of 4,849 issued with an on-the-spot fine in 2015 were recorded as paying. The fine for not having a dog licence is €100, while it is €150 for not cleaning up after a dog fouls in a public place.

Dog wardens in the area covered by Cork County Council issued almost half of all fines for breaches of dog control legislation last year.