Dogs on Irish Trains

soapbloggs · 28-07-2011 7:51am #1

Hi,

I'm one of those green people (not martian) who prefers public transport, partly because we've such a good system here (Zurich) and partly because its a fine idea. But I've a dilemma, and that is Ireland. Yes I've a gorgeous dog in Ireland I want to bring it to Switzerland.. I can take him from Cork or Rosslare all the way across Europe by train, no problemo. But dear old Ireland, you let me down, no dogs on a train (except Gucci handbag sized dogs) unless it has a guard van??? I think to date only the Dubin - Belfast/Cork route has one. I'm coming from Galway and want to get to the ferry ports. I'm not returning, so I don't want to hire a car or annoy a dear friend... what do I do?? I love walking but I'm in a hurry... is this rule about trains true, can I really only take a dog if there is a guard van attached.. he is a laborador, not a handbag sized chuhuahau (however you spell it). I beg of you Ironrod Eireann.. be public minded, think about the canine passangers! As for the buses.. I'll let you off, its a bit squish in there.

A frustrated European exPAT.

cocker5 · 28-07-2011 9:01am

OP... totally agree with you... all over Eurpoe it is acceptable for dogs to travel on public transport...and into coffee shops etc but not here in Ireland...

Personally i think the reason is there are A LOT of irresponsible dog owners here who would let their dogs poo all over the trains etc and not clean up after them etc.... you can see it all over our paths etc... so the trains wouldnt be any different... its terrible really that all dog owners have to suffer etc... but Ireland isnt a dog friendly nation at all...

Ive been skiing many times and i laugh when i see all the families on holidays in Austria... and yes they have brought their dogs too.... its sooo nice to see and i would love to be able to bring him along too .... :cool:

maybe in 20 years time our mentalities may change for the better!

toadfly · 28-07-2011 9:05am

OP when do you need to get your dog from Galway?

tk123 · 28-07-2011 10:11am

Highly unethical but if the dog is a lab could you pass it off as an service dog or one in training? I know somebody with a therapy dog and they can go on trains etc - not that the dog wants too lol.

kylith · 28-07-2011 12:20pm

I agree with you 100%. Luckily I have terriers so I can get them on. Unfortunately the rules seem to change according to who's on; you need a ticket for them, you don't need a ticket, they're allowed on, they're not allowed on, they're allowed on but only in the guard's van which doesn't exist.

In the past I've been reduced to tears because the won't let me board and the train is about to pull out, or my dogs have had to travel in a cupboard.

1) You won't get anything larger than a terrier on; lapdogs only.
2) Buy a ticket for your dog. These are not available from the machines, you must go to a cashier.
3) Have a travelling crate. Nothing too big because it'll have to fit under the luggage rack.

Any problems I've had have been in Heuston. At the Waterford end they've never asked me for a ticket, and they've never given me hassle getting the dogs on - quite the opposite in fact; they help me carry on the crates, remark on how well behaved the girls are, and in general seem delighted to have the dogs on board. I'm going to have to learn to drive before I can get a bigger dog.

mymo · 28-07-2011 2:45pm

I feel your pain, I have taken my dogs to London on the train, but only from the port at fishguard. This side I had to get to the port by car. Maybe if you post when you need to travel by, someone may be able to help, lots of people travel back to Dublin after the weekend etc, you may get lucky. Even if its a few days early, maybe you could find a kennel to take him for the few days before you travel.
Good Luck.

Chris_Heilong · 29-07-2011 11:53am

Hi I found this on the Irish Rail site:

Guide dogs and Assistance dogs are permitted to travel on all Iarnród Éireann Intercity, Commuter and DART Services without restriction.

Small dogs can be carried free of charge in the passenger compartment of services as outlined above provided they travel on the owners lap. The dog must be kept on a lead at all times unless contained in a basket or in an appropriate container. Dogs and/or dogs in containers found to be occupying a seat will be liable to a penalty charge.

Animals are not allowed in restaurant cars with the exception of Guide dogs or Assistance dogs.

If a customer objects to the presence of a dog in their carriage, the owner must be instructed to move it to another part of the train.

Iarnród Éireann reserve the right to refuse to carry any animal which, in the opinion of station staff, is causing or is likely to cause inconvenience to passengers due to its size or behaviour. On train staff are also authorised to have such animals removed from the train.

Accompanied dogs, other than those described above, can only be conveyed on Intercity services in a Guards Van (non-passenger compartment) if available (e.g. Dublin/Cork and Dublin/Belfast services only). Charges will apply. These dogs must be secured with a collar and chain and efficiently muzzled. The construction of the muzzle must render it impossible for the dog to bite any person or animal, but it should not prevent the dog from breathing freely or lapping water; or it must be contained in a wooden case, cage, basket or hamper constructed to make it impossible for the dog to bite any person or animal. The receptacle must be sufficiently large to allow the dog to stand up and lie down with ease and comfort and must be adequately ventilated.

All dogs conveyed in the Guards Van (non-passenger compartment) must be properly labelled giving the name, address and destination of the owner.

If there is no guard's van (non-passenger compartment) on a service, dogs (other than Guide Dogs, Assistance dogs and small/lap dogs) may not be carried on that train.

I have talked to Taxi companies also and they said they will take big dogs in minivans but you must ask for this on the phone.

kylith · 29-07-2011 1:49pm

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

I have talked to Taxi companies also and they said they will take big dogs in minivans but you must ask for this on the phone.

SCR taxis are always very good if I need the dogs brought anywhere. They even took their kennel when the hounds were staying with friends for a week.

Sigma Force · 29-07-2011 10:00pm

Ireland is a disgrace but I do think we need better welfare laws first so that people in general (this is not directed at op) learn that they have to keep their dogs under control however how can dogs become really well socialise ie used to everything including modes of transport if they are not allowed to experience being on public transport.
In some countries you just buy a ticket there's even wee pic of a dog on the button that would easily solve the seating issue although knowing the services here they'd charge full adult price and you'd end up having to stand all the way anyway.

Before I was driving I had to be so pushy about trying to get my dog on transport, dart were the biggest fekers and yet all sorts of skanks get on with their dog and nothings said. Bus actually wasn't too bad, the train I knew she was allowed but always felt that dreaded feeling off fek will they let her on this time only takes one person to not be a fan of dogs to ruin the whole trip.

It shouldn't be that way there should be one rule for all, as long as the dog is well behaved and you have it under control any dog of any size should be allowed on. We have to put up with other people having full on conversations on their phones and kids screaming for and hour and a half what's wrong with the occasional dog being on the train.

Hope you get sorted op.

soapbloggs · 05-08-2011 11:28pm

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all your replies! Some very interesting suggestions too!

Unfortunately I have to travel from Galway to Rosslare which is a fair hike even in a car. I really need to go on a Friday (12th Aug), unfortunately my friends are working and so can't drive me there. I'll find a way somehow when I'm in Ireland, something will come.. even if I jump onto a train at a rural station, just hope the ticket guard will be kind.. I'm sure it'll be ok. Not sure I'll carry off the blind man trick.. last time (I was a very young cheeky fellow at the time) I made a joke about a blind person...there turned out to be a blind guy right behind me! Fast Karma!

It does seems a bit like Ireland could do with a dog organisation that educates owners and perhaps even lobbies councils for more city green areas and better access to beaches etc. Here in Zurich people seem to be quite responsible alright, people actually do buy dog licences and I think even some cantons were talking about dog ownership courses being mandatory. Even the council here have built many water fountains (you can drink from them all over the city) with little pools for dogs to drink from. So they are well considered as a part of the life of the community that way.

Anyway, I think my canine will be just so pleased to see me, he doesn't care where we go, as long as we can be together.. I can't wait!!

toadfly · 05-08-2011 11:38pm

OP I might be able to help with bringing your dog to Dublin but it would be early next Wednesday morning so you would have to put him into kennels for a few nights. He would have to be fully vaccinated and have his kennel cough vaccine as well.

PM me if you like

daenerysstormborn3 · 06-08-2011 12:02am

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

Hi I found this on the Irish Rail site:

Guide dogs and Assistance dogs are permitted to travel on all Iarnród Éireann Intercity, Commuter and DART Services without restriction.

Small dogs can be carried free of charge in the passenger compartment of services as outlined above provided they travel on the owners lap. The dog must be kept on a lead at all times unless contained in a basket or in an appropriate container. Dogs and/or dogs in containers found to be occupying a seat will be liable to a penalty charge.

Animals are not allowed in restaurant cars with the exception of Guide dogs or Assistance dogs.

If a customer objects to the presence of a dog in their carriage, the owner must be instructed to move it to another part of the train.

Iarnród Éireann reserve the right to refuse to carry any animal which, in the opinion of station staff, is causing or is likely to cause inconvenience to passengers due to its size or behaviour. On train staff are also authorised to have such animals removed from the train.

Accompanied dogs, other than those described above, can only be conveyed on Intercity services in a Guards Van (non-passenger compartment) if available (e.g. Dublin/Cork and Dublin/Belfast services only). Charges will apply. These dogs must be secured with a collar and chain and efficiently muzzled. The construction of the muzzle must render it impossible for the dog to bite any person or animal, but it should not prevent the dog from breathing freely or lapping water; or it must be contained in a wooden case, cage, basket or hamper constructed to make it impossible for the dog to bite any person or animal. The receptacle must be sufficiently large to allow the dog to stand up and lie down with ease and comfort and must be adequately ventilated.

All dogs conveyed in the Guards Van (non-passenger compartment) must be properly labelled giving the name, address and destination of the owner.

If there is no guard's van (non-passenger compartment) on a service, dogs (other than Guide Dogs, Assistance dogs and small/lap dogs) may not be carried on that train.

I have talked to Taxi companies also and they said they will take big dogs in minivans but you must ask for this on the phone.

I know you took that from their website but unfortunately Iarnrod Eireann staff seem unaware of their own rules.

I have tried on numerous occasions to carry my dog (a great dane) from Dublin to Cork (and then travel on to Kerry by car due to the fact that the guard's cabin is only available as far as Cork) and have always been refused because the guard's van is full eventhough I have seen not a single other pet board, I have only once gotten as far as the platform.

I have been perfectly reasonable, brought my own crate which fits the requirements they provide, bought a ticket, arrived sufficiently early to get the crate and dog on the train without inconveniencing anybody. My dog is really well behaved and well trained and I wouldn't even attempt to bring him anywhere near a train station with that many people around if he was a hooligan.

Once I got as far as the platform and was refused boarding "at the discretion of the station master". I asked him was there a guard's cabin (because there may not be one on every train) he said yes, I asked him was the cabin full he said no, I asked him what the problem was and he said that the carrying of pets is at the discretion of the station master and he was refusing me boarding with my pet. This is a good few months, if not a year ago now, and I made a complaint which was never even responded to and to be honest I couldn't care less now but I think Iarnrod Eireann should just admit that they don't want to carry pets and will do whatever the hell they want.

I have never had any trouble with any taxi driver in Dublin carrying my dog though. Most worry that their taxi won't be big enough but it always was and as great danes are short haired they didn't really have to worry about shedding. Only worry really was slobber but I carry a slobber cloth everywhere so no bother there in fairness. I always either offer to pay extra or just give a big tip. It sucks that public transport is so anti-pet in Ireland.

Bookworm85 · 06-08-2011 12:30am

tk123 wrote: »

Highly unethical but if the dog is a lab could you pass it off as an service dog or one in training? I know somebody with a therapy dog and they can go on trains etc - not that the dog wants too lol.

I used to work for Irish Rail in Cork, one time a blind man I know showed up with his son and two dogs in tow, one was his retired guide dog (with son) and his current active guide dog. The both bought tickets for themselves, and knowing the man personally, and knowing the other dog was retired I never charged for him. They went to board the train and were turned back by the inspector because the retired dog didn't have a ticket. I explained that I knew the family and hence the dogs, and could vouch that the older dog was retired. The inspector wouldn't have it. I offered to pay the dog's fare myself but inspector refused carriage for the animal. Made my blood boil.

And as others have stated, its only the intercity trains that have a guards car, and AFAIR the railcars aren't insured to carry larger dogs (i.e ones that are small enough to fit in your handbag). I agree its utterly ridiculous in this day and age

Chris_Heilong · 06-08-2011 1:39pm

I have created a Facebook group to try and highlight this issue, I was suprised no one had done it yet, it is WIP at the moment but its called Let 'Dogs on Irish Public Transport' if interested.

Dogs on Irish Trains

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