Council had to call gardaí after man pretended to be dog warden and handed out fines

Fake warden was handing out €20 fines to members of the public.

A county council was forced to get gardaí to call to the home of a man who was pretending to be a dog warden and handing out €20 fines to members of the public.

The rogue warden was pretending to be an official from South Dublin County Council and was defrauding owners who were letting their dogs off the leash in a public park.

Emails from the council reveal how the fraudster had eventually been spotted by a member of staff while attempting his scam in Tymon Park near Tallaght.

One message said: “I have been informed that the park ranger came across the fake dog warden operating this morning.

“The fake warden ran off. The park ranger got a partial reg [licence plate] and has passed this information to An Garda Síochána.” 

A later message said the county council had been able to track down the full plate for the car and an investigation was under way.

“Terenure gardaí … called to the house of the man and warned him to stay away from the park or he could be up for impersonating a public official,” said an email.

“As the gardaí didn’t receive an official complaint about money changing hands, they could not pursue on those grounds.” 

In internal discussions last September, the council said they needed to get a statement out to the public on how the system operated for having dogs off leash.

“There are no on-the-spot fines!” said one email.

“We have contacted An Garda Síochána who will carry out patrols of the park.

Members of the public should report any unusual activity.” 

South Dublin County Council also issued a public advisory saying its staff would always carry official identification and would be most likely travelling in an official vehicle.

They warned: “Do not hand over any money to this man, and if you are approached by him, do seek help from other park users and report the incident to the Garda.” 

However, on-the-spot fines of up to €100 can apply for “non-muzzling, non-leashing” or leaving an under-16 in charge of specific breeds deemed potentially dangerous including pit bulls, German shepherds, and ‘Staffies’.

Owners who are reckless with those types of dogs and who fail to pay their initial fine can be fined up to €2,500 or jailed for three months if convicted.

According to the Citizensinformation.ie, dog wardens have the power to:

• Request the name and address of anyone suspected of an offence under the Control of Dogs Act;
• Seize and detain any dog; 
• Enter any premises (other than your home) to seize and detain a dog. 

Furthermore you can be arrested by a garda if you:

• Obstruct a dog warden in the course of their work;
• Refuse to give your name and address to a dog warden;
• Give a false name and address to a dog warden.