€500,000 ‘not enough’ to tackle Wexford’s animal cruelty problem as calls made to pursue culprits to ‘the ends of the earth’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Although over €500,000 has been designated for dog warden services in the county in 2026, Wexford councillors believe that figure “doesn’t begin to scratch the surface” of a problem which is seeing injured animals surrendered at an alarming rate. Speaking in the wake of an incident which saw a dog in Clonroche discovered with deep indents in its neck as a result of iPhone cord being tied around it, Councillor Michael Sheehan said more money was required to address the county’s problems with animal cruelty.

“This is not something our dog wardens should have to witness,” he said at WCC’s annual budget meeting. “€510,000 is not enough to take care of what needs to be done. We should pursue whoever did that to that dog to the ends of the earth and make sure they have their day in court.”

Currently, WCC employs two full-time dog wardens to cover the entire county but, without changes to legislature, there are fears they will continue to be hampered in the work they can do.

“In Clonroche loose dogs are almost a daily occurrence, parents have contacted me about dogs being knocked down outside the school, and the problem is they’re not microchipped,” said Cllr Bridín Murphy. “Unfortunately, €500,000 doesn’t begin to scratch the surface, and this is being brought to light with the number of horrendous cases of cruelty we’re encountering, the legislature needs to be amended.

"Our two wardens do an excellent job but we need more, they’re trying to cover the entire county.”

Meanwhile, there was a report of other animals on the loose in Bunclody, although these ones appear relatively happy in their surroundings.

“What other animals do our welfare services include?” asked Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy. “There has been an issue with goats on public land in Bunclody.”

In attendance ostensibly to answer questions about the council budget, director of finances Lynda Lacey was unsure how to respond to this query.

“I don’t know anything about goats,” she said flatly.

“We’re happy to look at any issue regarding the goats,” added director of roads Eamonn Hore.

Providing further clarity, Cllr Murphy said the goats were residing on land which “used to belong to the council”. “There’s three of them there and nobody seems to own them,” she said.