Life as Waterford's dog pound manager: 'He threatened me with a sledgehammer'

In the third part of her series on council workers, Sarah Horgan talks to Liam Power, who manages the dog pound for Waterford City and County Council

Waterford dog pound manager Liam Power with Caoimhe the border collie at Gracedieu Lower, Waterford. Picture: Dan Linehan

A man who threatened staff with a sledgehammer in a bid to break his beloved pet out of the dog pound is one of the more "colourful" characters Liam Power has encountered as part of his job.

Waterford City and County Council's dog pound manager, however, says he is not without some sympathy for this particularly “difficult customer” who went about trying to get his dog back in the wrong way. 

“He didn’t want to pay the money for a dog licence so he threatened me with a sledgehammer,” Liam told the Irish Examiner. 

“His dog had been found out on the road on a Friday night by someone who was afraid he was going to get run over. The first thing he said when he came in was 'I want my dog back.' He wanted to break every window in the place.

"When he was going to collect the dog, he was adamant that he wouldn’t be paying money for a licence. We can only release a dog from the pound if the owner has one.” 

Liam is glad the stand-off ended peacefully.

“I’m not sure if he had the sledgehammer with him for work or he brought it along especially for me,” he joked. “Even though I was behind a fence it was a bit unnerving. I called gardaí and they gave him a warning. 

"If he hadn’t calmed down he probably would have been in a lot more trouble. It’s likely that he didn’t have other convictions. He eventually went to the post office and bought a dog licence. While €20 might sound like a small amount, it’s a lot to some.

"What that man did was wrong but we can never really know a person’s story. We’ll never know what they have gone through until we have walked in their shoes.” 

“I often check in with gardaí and will get the ISPCA to do a follow-up check to ensure the dog is being cared for well. In this situation, it looked like the dog was being treated okay. 

This is often the case with people who don’t treat humans well but still love their animals. I tell myself that while the man with the sledgehammer was threatening to me, he probably goes home and cuddles his dog at night. 

Since starting in the council role as pound manager 12 months ago, Liam has managed to diffuse heated situations like this one by taking a calm and positive approach.

His day-to-day tasks include ensuring the safe entry, care, and exit of stray dogs into the Waterford City and County Dig Pound - managing their food, medicine, exercise, and all associated records and stock.

Liam said that people are normally very kind and appreciative of his work.

“You get the people who don’t want to pay for a dog licence. However, there is also the other extreme when people are so appreciative they are trying to give you money. I’ll be trying to tell them that we can’t accept tips because there is no way that I would ever take money from anyone.”

Waterford City and County Council Dog pound provided refuge to 254 dogs in the last 12 months, 60 of which were reclaimed by their owners. The remainder were either re-homed or taken in by rescue centres.

“If a dog is here after three days we know it’s going to be a cold case so we’ll start looking for shelters or new homes. If six days go by and nobody claims the dog then it legally belongs to its new owner. 

"There was one case where nobody came forward. Then out of nowhere they approached us and said that 'they had been on holidays'. I told them I could contact the new owners but they had no legal obligation to hand the dog over. 

Liam Power: 'If a dog is here after three days we know it’s going to be a cold case so we’ll start looking for shelters or new homes.' Picture: Dan Linehan

"It turned out I didn’t have to contact the new owners as their daughter had already spotted a message directed at them that read 'to the person who has our dog, we are going to find you and we are going to get you'. They gave the dog back straight away. 

"There were much nicer ways of going about it, but some people only have one and it involves threats or violence.” 

Liam said that while many assume Christmas is their busiest time, summer presents its own difficulties.

“A good owner will bring their dogs to the kennels and pay for it. Others will have no problem leaving them behind to go on holidays. They view their dogs as disposable items. 

"When people buy something online and it’s cheap they can just throw it away. Unfortunately dogs have become part of that system too. If they are not doing what they are supposed to do then they are considered disposable.” 

The pound manager, who previously worked as a foreman and carpenter, said he tries his best to make each dog’s time at the facility as special as possible.

Liam Power walking Sandy the Belgian shepherd. 'I get them out and give them exercise and treats.' Picture: Dan Linehan

“I look after them as best as I can. I get them out and give them exercise and treats. I’ll throw them a ball and do some lead work so they can get used to being on a lead. 

"You can spot a dog that comes from a house because they suffer the most. They are not used to this environment and you can see they are trying to figure out exactly where they are. 

"Dogs like the wild lurchers on the other hand love the heat and the constant food and attention. 

"When dogs come in they are sometimes totally in fear. They might be barking or trying to climb the walls because they’re so scared. Seeing those dogs two or three weeks later in the exercise yard on a lead and feeding from your hand is the best part.

"It’s pretty special because you know you’ve made a difference to an animal’s life and you’re going to find them a new home.” 

And not every dog is deliberately or willfully abandoned by their owners.

“Sometimes it’s just an honest mistake where a child has left the gate open for the dog to escape. The dog got a taste of freedom and never came home. When you see the way the kid’s face lights up after they are reunited with their dog, it’s really special. 

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"Similarly it’s lovely to see the dog’s face light up because you know they are so loved. I see both sides of the coin in terms of human behaviour. 

"There are the people who pay extra for dog friendly hotels so their dogs can join them on holidays. They let them sleep in their beds. There are the ones who will go to the ends of the Earth to find them.

"Then there are people who will not so much as look back after dumping their dogs in the knowledge that they will never see them again.”