A private company has taken over Donegal’s Dog Warden service, it has emerged.
Previously, the facility was carried out by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA). However, it is understood that this task has now been outsourced to Midland Animal Care. This follows the sudden and controversial closure of the animal rehabilitation centre in Ballyare, near Letterkenny, in September. The ISPCA said that the decision to close Ballyare was due to a depletion of income.
Midland Animal Care currently operates dog control services for eight local authorities, and now Donegal County Council. Last month, the council tendered for the operation of the service on a €1 million contract over a two-year period. This is to include the provision of the Dog Warden Service in County Donegal and for the management and operation of the dog shelter at Glencar, Letterkenny. Recently, Midland Animal Care was awarded a €1 million two-year contract to run Laois Dog Pound and provide Dog Warden services in the county after winning a tender process issued by Laois County Council.
Speaking at this week’s meeting of the Glenties Municipal District (MD), Councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig said outsourcing the service is ‘wrong’.
“It is not in the best interest of the taxpayer. We need to write to the minister; it is not good enough,” he added.
We have asked both the council and Midland Animal Care for a comment.
Other councillors hold the view that although work has been outsourced, there is an issue with dog fouling across the county and the job is still being completed.
“Over Christmas, people were out walking and there was so much dog foul,” Councillor Brian Carr said. “People do not adhere to the guidelines. It is becoming a problem everywhere. There is a need for more dog wardens, which needs to be reviewed countywide. It’s getting out of hand, there is a lack of wardens, owners don’t care and I highly doubt there have been any prosecutions.”
Caithaoirleach of the Glenties, MD, Cllr Micheal McClafferty, supported the call for more wardens and bins to dispose of the dog foul.
“The situation is out of hand and something needs to be done,” Cllr McClafferty said. “As a dog owner, people need to control their dogs. It’s important to know that dangerous diseases can be spread and dog dirt can cause blindness.
“It is unsightly, untidy and unhygienic. Maybe installing bins comparable to the one seen in Kilmacrennan will encourage people to use it.”
John McCarron, at the environmental section of Donegal County Council, said that the situation will be assessed and the queries will be addressed.
Private company takes over Donegal’s Dog Warden service – report was last modified: January 14th, 2026 by Staff Writer
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