It is important to report a welfare concern or an alleged offence to an Authorised Officer (a person who is authorised under the relevant piece of legislation to enforce the law) or a Garda.
Report Cruelty, Neglect, Suffering, Distress, Smuggling, Welfare Concern
Contact Gardaí
- If urgent, ring 112 or 999 and ask for An Garda Síochána.
- If less urgent, ring, email or visit the contact the local Garda station. (24/7).
Every member of An Garda Síochána is authorised under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Contact the Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare (DAFM) Hotline:
- Phone: 01 607 2379 or 0761 064 408 / 1850 211 990
- Email: animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
DAFM have Authorised Officers/Veterinary Inspectors can investigate a welfare concern relating to any animal (including farm animals), and have inspectors in every county in Ireland.
Contact SPCAs (Authorised Officers)
- DSPCA (Dublin only) or
- ISPCA (Cavan, Carlow, Cork, Donegal, Kildare, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Sligo, Tipperary, Roscommon, Waterford, Westmeath, Wicklow)
NB: The DSPCA/ISPCA cannot investigate welfare concerns relating to farm animals, or if an equine is on a farm where farm animals are also kept. Concerns regarding farm animals should be sent to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and/or An Garda Síochána.
Contact the Local Authority or Council
Some local authorities have veterinarians and departments that deal with animal welfare. Contact your local authority.
Contact Customs and Excise Officers (Revenue) (e.g. at ports/airports).
If you have any information about smuggling of animals, report it using Revenue’s Confidential Freephone number 1800 295 295.
Contact Local Rescue Organisations
Local animal rescues, may be able to assist or notify Gardaí. If the rescue does not have an authorised officer under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, they will not have powers to seize or go onto private property.
Examples of animal welfare crime
Examples include organised dog fighting, organised cock fighting, abandonment of an animal, prohibited operations and procedures (docking tails, cropping dog ears).
Report Wildlife Crime
Examples of wildlife crime include illegal hare coursing, badger baiting, illegal hunting.
- Contact National Parks and Wildlife Service – https://www.npws.ie/contact-us
- Contact An Garda Síochána
- Report wildlife crime easily via PAW Ireland app https://paw-ireland.xapp.org
“Wildlife Crimes” are offences against laws which protect wild plants, animals and habitats. Amongst the most important of these laws are the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018 and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. Both the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Minister with responsibility for nature conservation may bring prosecutions for such offences. The latter is the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is part of the Heritage Division of that Department.
Members of An Garda Síochána (AGS) and authorised officers of the NPWS are empowered to investigate suspected wildlife offences and bring proposals for prosecution. For this reason, AGS and NPWS have often engaged with one another when investigating wildlife offences.
Report Illegal Fishing, Water Pollution, Invasive Species
Contact Fisheries Ireland:
Inland Fisheries Ireland encourages members of the public and farmers to report illegal fishing, water pollution or invasive species by telephoning the confidential phoneline 0818 34 74 24 (open 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week).
Report Illegal Pet Trade
If you have a concern about the welfare of pets imported or documents used.
Example: Falsified – or lack of – documents (pet passports, health certificates and rabies titration results) for transport of pets into or within the EU. The falsified information usually concerns the vaccination status, the age of the animal, its origin or its intended destination so fraudsters can by-pass animal health requirements and traceability checks. Report concerns to:
- SANTE-FOOD-FRAUD@ec.europa.eu EU Agri-Food Fraud Network
- LiveTrade@agriculture.gov.ie Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Report a Stray Dog
If you have a found a dog straying, by law, you must do the following:
(a) return the dog to its owner, or
See Section 13 of the Control of Dogs Act 1986.
(b) deliver the dog to a dog warden, or
(c) detain the dog and give notice in writing containing a description of the dog, the address of the place where it was found, and the address of the place where it is detained to the member in charge at the nearest Garda Station to the place where the dog was found, or to a dog warden.
- Contact your local Garda station (24/7)
- Local Dog Warden (Council).
Report a Stray Horse or Donkey
Stray horses or donkeys (and hybrids) should be reported to:
- Your local Garda station and
- Your local authority.
If urgent (e.g. animal or person is in immediate danger, ring 999/112).
Report a Welfare Concern – Horse Used in Horse Racing
IHRB (Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board). The IHRB also have Authorised Officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Confidential Hotline:
- 1800 855 846 (Republic of Ireland)
- 0800 0015 114 (Northern Ireland or Great Britain).
- https://www.ihrb.ie/29-confidential-hotline
Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Helpline:
- 1850 211 990 / 01 6072 379 / 0761 064 408
- Email: animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
An Garda Síochána
- Contact your local Garda station.
- If urgent, ring 112 or 999.
Report a Welfare Concern – Greyhounds Used in Greyhound Racing
Greyhounds are considered a “farm animal”. Concerns for the welfare of greyhounds can be reported to:
Greyhound Racing Ireland (24/7):
- 061 448 100
- confidential@grireland.ie
- https://www.grireland.ie/Resource/greyhound-welfare/greyhound-careline/
Reports received by the public will be followed up by a member of GRI’s welfare team, who have the power to carry out unannounced inspections and act under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.
An Garda Síochána
- Contact your local Garda station. (24/7).
- If urgent, ring 112 or 999.
Report an Illegal Dog Breeding Establishment
A dog breeding establishment is a premises that keep six or more female dogs, older than six months, which are capable of breeding. It is an offence to operate without being registered with the local authority (council).
- If you suspect the premises is a dog breeding establishment and is not registered with the local authority, report this to the local authority.
- If you are concerned for the welfare of any animal from a dog breeding establishment, follow the steps above to report.
Report The Illegal Sale of Pets in Ireland
If you suspect a person is not in compliance with Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or supply of pet animals) Regulations 2019 (No. 681 of 2019), contact:
PetSalesRegister@agriculture.gov.ie
Further information https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d3af4-new-rules-on-the-sale-supply-and-advertising-of-pet-animals/
Report an Illegal Veterinary Procedure/Concern Re: a Veterinary Practitioner
Complaints and concerns regarding veterinary practitioners can be reported to Veterinary Council of Ireland.
https://www.vci.ie/Utility/Contact
53 Lansdowne Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4 D04 NY29
Ireland
Tel: +353 (0) 1 668 4402
Emal: info@vci.ie
Report Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Contact Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI)
Telephone: +353 (1) 6663381
Detective Superintendent Kenneth Keelan
Detective Sergeant James King
Email envi.wildlife.crime@garda.ie
Harcourt Square,
Harcourt Street,
Dublin 2,
D02 DH42https://cites.org/eng/node/130020
