More than 130 dogs seized or surrendered in last year

The number of dogs from County Westmeath seized or surrendered to the Mullingar Dog Pound over the last year was 134.

This figure was given to the February meeting of Municipal District of Athlone Moate by director of services, Barry Kehoe, in response to a question from Cllr John Nolan, who wanted to know how many dogs were collected in the Athlone Moate district.

However, Mr Kehoe said the actual number of dogs collected in each of the two districts under the jurisdiction of Westmeath County Council (Athlone Moate and Mullingar Kinnegad) was “difficult to quantify.”

The director of services explained that most dogs are surrendered to Mullingar Dog Pound but “they may be registered or unregistered in either district and this information is not currently recorded”.

He added that the council make “no distinction” between dogs that are seized and dogs that are surrendered to the dog pound.