Eleven restricted breed dogs seized locally

The number of dogs either seized or surrendered across county Westmeath in 2024 was 132, of which 38 were classified as restricted breeds. Eleven of the restricted breeds came from the Athlone Moate municipal area and 27 from the Mullingar Kinnegad area.

The information on dog seizures in the county was given to the January meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District in response to a question from Cllr John Dolan, who also asked if Westmeath County Council are undertaking door to door inspections to detect restricted dog breeds.

Director of services, Jackie Finney, said the council are not conducting door to door inspections, but would hope to be able to undertake such work once they recruit a second dog warden. She added that the council are currently in the process of recruiting a second dog warden for Westmeath.

“Do we know the reason 113 of the 132 dogs taken in by the council were seized?” asked Cllr Dolan, but Ms Finney replied that she did not have that information to hand.

Since October of last year, XL Bully dogs became the only dogs to be banned in Ireland, but 11 other dogs are listed as restricted breeds including the American put bull terrier, Bull mastiff and Rottweiler. Additional rules apply to the owners of restricted breeds such as keeping them on a short strong lead (under two metres) at all times; being under the control of a person aged over 16, and being muzzled in a public place.