Written answers
Tuesday, 23 September 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
Control of Dogs
Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context
455. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of reported incidents to An Garda Síochána involving uncontrolled dogs in public places in each year from 2020 to 2024. [49758/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. This includes the management and operation of the Garda PULSE system.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that software developments to the PULSE system on 12 May 2024 introduced changes to how PULSE records incidents relating to animals.
With the addition of new incident types within the ‘Animals’ incident category, some previous categorisation types were retired. Consequently, incident volumes are no longer comparable before and after the roll out of this system change.
To be of assistance to the Deputy, the table below shows the respective incident counts for the period 2020 to the end of June 2025.
Incident type | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | H1 2025 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Control/ Wandering/ Straying | 0 | 0 | 0 | < 5 | 580 | 386 |
Cruelty / Neglect | 0 | < 5 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 28 |
Dog offences | 765 | 824 | 829 | 991 | 354 | 0 |
Endangerment by Animal | 0 | 0 | 0 | < 5 | 150 | 116 |
Licence / Identification | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | < 5 |
No comments