Number of dog licences has doubled in County Carlow due to second warden

SINCE Carlow Co Council hired a second dog warden in May 2025, the number of dog licences issued has doubled.

In 2024, the government announced €2 million in funding for local authorities to support the resourcing and hiring of dog warden services in 2025.

Carlow Co Council’s figures show that between May and December 2024, 1,259 dog licences were granted and for the same period in 2025 2,539 dog licences were issued, an increase of over 100%.

Liam Carroll, Carlow Co Council’s environment officer, said: “These figures show that the additional warden is having a big effect in terms of carrying out compliance checks and carrying out patrols.” 

“Our wardens are very active around the county. They are engaging and speaking with dog owners and reminding them of their responsibilities,” Mr. Carrol said. “We have seen a reduction in the number of complaints related to dog fouling as well. It’s not completely eliminated, but there has been an improvement in it.” Funding for the scheme was prioritised, as the number of dog attacks in Ireland rose, in large part due to attacks by dogs from restricted breeds, many of whom were not licenced.