South Dublin County Council Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh has voiced his concern about the future contractual arrangements for the welfare of dogs by South Dublin County Council. The councillor for Lucan-Palmerstown and North Clondalkin was speaking in the wake of recent allegations and upsetting images that were circulating regarding the conditions of both the existing pound and the dogs held there. Cllr Ó Brádaigh said: “Ahead of the February full Council meeting, I have a motion that I hope other councillors will support, calling on the council to commit to working with all the Dublin local authorities to engage in a joint project initiative to fund a singular dog pound to service the greater Dublin area. I was very disappointed by South Dublin County Councils somewhat simplistic response ahead of the meeting stating that there is no provision in the Capital Programme for the proposed project.
“Such a facility located on a suitable land piece would take care of all dogs here with responsibility for the daily running and management falling to the local authority, or to contract this out to a reputable animal welfare organisation. “Sinn Féin have previously raised their concerns with South Dublin County Council and with the Minister responsible for animal welfare. My own colleague Seanadóir Lynn Boylan has called for statutory standards for all pounds, shelters and breeding establishments to be introduced. “I understand that tenders are currently being invited and that the deadline for this process is the 10th Feb and it is envisaged that the evaluation of tenders received will take place promptly after the closing date – Currently all four local authority tenders are up for renewal now.
“I am also aware that there is a Garda investigation ongoing into the treatment and use of certain lethal drug types at the Ashton pound – being administered by unqualified staff that should only be administered by qualified vets and I would be very concerned if the allegations are true. “My own firmly held view, is that we now need to explore a more cost-effective alternative that seeks to put best practice in animal welfare first and I believe that this should be facilitated via a not-for-profit system. Furthermore, we need to see rigorous enforcement of the existing legal requirements to microchip all dogs in the first instance – this would help to ensure that a dog spends the minimum time in the pound before being reunited with their family or being rehomed.
