SDCC Dogs Now Go To Ashton Pound

Kukey

I have just read somewhere that Ashton Pound now have the tender for SDCC dogs starting from Aug 2013:eek:
From this date dogs picked up in these areas that normally would go to Dunboyne Pound,will now go to Ashton Pound:(
Where they are going to fit all these extra dogs is beyond me!This will probably mean a lot of dogs won't get a chance now,as they don't rehome RB from there
(whereas Dunboyne did) and No pups are rehomed from there either.
I know they deal with Rescues,but for the amount of dogs they will have it will be very hard to get them all out.
I have a link but don't know if I am allowed put it up..

Mo60

I got my last rescue from Dunboyne pound because of the rescue that posts photos of the dogs. Apparently this rescue was not consulted and was not even told about the change.

Why are people who do such good work treated so badly by those in charge?

DBB

So, the rumours are true .
I was no fan of Dunboyne pound, but they were always reasonably fair with me with rescue dogs, and always had to hand it to them in that regard.
However, I can't even begin to say how concerned I am at this news. From frying pan to fire. Without going into too much detail, this is really crap news for SDCC dogs, and their owners.

anniehoo

Unfortunately yes it's true.I for one am devastated. The government tender for "dog control" facilites went out earlier in the year for South Dublin County Council (public knowledge). Only 2 applied, Blackhall Kennels (current contract) and Ashtown. Ashtown got it and I have no idea why.Dunboyne (Blackhall kennels) has 2 charities/rescues operating out of it.

It hasn't actually been announced by SDCC yet, but anyone in the Leinster rescue world will be talking about this all day. I haven't seen official links from my charity yet folks, so be careful what you post just yet.(also we can't post rescue links either)

This is honestly THE WORST NEWS EVER (no word of a lie) for stray and surrendered dog's in Dublin/Meath.I have been getting info all day, so will post as much accurate info as I can tomorrow. Meanwhile, PM me if you want to know the charities involved.

This decision is a MILLION steps back for dog welfare in Ireland and I genuinley could not believe what was being posted today. So disheartening for anyone involved in rescue right now, even more so that last week I found out one of the biggest charities doesn't have a "no kill" policy anymore.....we are going so beyond backwards I cannot believe it. (

Toulouse

Am beyond gutted about this.

I don't even have the energy to write anymore on the subject. It's been an uphill struggle with the powers that be from day one but if anyone wants to know where to get more info let me know and I'll PM you the facebook link.

Anniehoo - I didn't think this affected Meath dogs. They'll still continue to be brought to Dunboyne. Just SDCC dogs and the charity that works with them affected.

Edited to add that I didn't mean the 'just sdcc dogs' to trivialise the situation. It is 1200 dogs a year we are talking about. Only probably would have been a better word.

anniehoo

Toulouse wrote: »

Anniehoo - I didn't think this affected Meath dogs. They'll still continue to be brought to Dunboyne. Just SDCC dogs and the charity that works with them affected..

No the Meath section stays the same and a different charity operates that.

I have written an email and sent to all SDCC Councillors. If anyone would like a copy of it or addresses please PM me thanks.This is all filtering on the QT, even the wardens havent been told. It's crazy and we need to start making A LOT of noise about this.

Toulouse

Confirmation just posted on the council FB page.

God, they really don't have any idea. :mad:

anniehoo

Toulouse wrote: »

Confirmation just posted on the council FB page.

God, they really don't have any idea. :mad:

Can you post the link Tolouse?

Toulouse

Can't copy the link for the actual post but if you go to recent posts by others it's in response to the last question asked

https://www.facebook.com/SouthDublinCountyCouncil

As of lunchtime the rescue in question has still not been officially informed nor had their e-mail of nearly 2 weeks ago answered. But hey, ask a question on their FB page and they're all about it!

anniehoo

wrote:

By means of background / context, the Council in conjunction with our colleagues in Fingal and Dublin City had issued a competitive tender for the provision of a dog pound service in March 2013 (The Council's contracted service was due to expire prior to August 2013). Ashton Dog Pound, Ashtown were the successful provider who have been awarded the tender. This development represents an improved aggregated service and is expected to bring efficiencies in its operation. It will commence formally from the 1st of August. There will be no change in policy with regards to re-homing of animals for which all reasonable efforts are always made prior to any animal being humanely euthanised as is provided for by the laws of the state. I hope that helps clarify the situation, Kind regards.

Beyond a joke.....

toadfly

There will be no change in policy with regards to re-homing of animals for which all reasonable efforts are always made prior to any animal being humanely euthanised as is provided for by the laws of the state.

Do Dunboyne rehome bull breeds and pups to the general public Anniehoo do you know?

anniehoo

TillyGirl wrote: »

Do Dunboyne rehome bull breeds and pups to the general public Anniehoo do you know?

Yep and are very successful too through the charity that work out of the SDCC section.You probably know their name, but PM me if not. Ashton don't have the same good reputation for this unfortunately.

I am collecting a beautiful bull breed mix who this charity got out of the pound, onto a fosterer and is now flying to her forever home in Sweden tomorrow morning. I'm keeping her tonight and dropping her to the airport tomorrow morning.No stone went unturned trying to find the perfect home for her, unfortunately its just not here.

toadfly

anniehoo wrote: »

Yep and are very successful too through the charity that work out of the SDCC section.You probably know their name, but PM me if not. Ashton don't have the same good reputation for this unfortunately.

So it is just through rescue the same as Ashton or can anyone rehome a Staffie without rescue backup? Are the charity willing to work with Ashton or is it not feasible because of location etc? I do know the name, I helped transfer a gorgeous lurcher before for them. They do fantastic work.

Its such a shame this has been decided like this. It will no doubt end in more dogs being killed. Disgusting decision.

Annie can you please email me who I need to contact about this?

Toulouse

I think the homing procedures will remain the same for SDCC dogs.

I know in Ashton for DLR, DCC and Fingal all pups and restricted breeds must go to rescue. What I get from the SDCC statement above is that this will not change for their dogs.

However the reason so many dogs, restricted breeds, pups and others get rehomed and rescued from SDCC is down to the rescue currently working with them in Dunboyne. This support is not going to be there for them in Ashton.

Toulouse

Anyone can rehome a Staffie without rescue back up.

The charity have not been asked to work with Ashton, hell they haven't even been told the pound is moving yet! But location wise it's a no go anyway so it's a moot point.

DBB

And let's be clear here, although there was a well organised rescue helping dogs out of Ashton up to a few years ago, they were muscled out by some of the Ashton staff, for reasons and with consequences that'd make your jaw hit the floor. There is now effectively no coordinated rescue effort from Ashton, other than by the staff themselves, and a couple of smaller private groups.
I would love to write here about the stories I've been told, and had directly relayed to me from owners whose dogs ended up in Ashton who's stories met a mysterious conclusion, but I know it'd cause potential war if any of the crowd in Ashton see them. I know that their managers in the council have had a lot of complaints about what's going on there. I also know that mysteriously, small purebred dogs are never sent out to their respective specialist breed rescues any more, despite them being a regular source of such dogs to these rescue groups in years gone by. I wonder why this is? I really do.
But hey? Who cares? Haven't they got a nice cheap pound for south Dublin now, eh?

Inexile

Perhaps another case for using the Freedom of Information legislation. All public tenders have to be conducted using a set of criteria, the criteria is set by the tendering body but usually includes, cost, ability to meet requirements, past history etc. I dont think rehoming/animal welfare will loom large. Each tenderer is marked according to the criteria and those who apply may ask for feeback and get a copy of how they fared. The public could also ask for details of the tender process under FOI.....

Its a crazy decision all based on this notion that a centralised service works best for all cases. In this case it doesnt.

anniehoo

I've gotten various replies from different Councillors including the SDCC Lord Mayor today who in fairness provided the most comprehensive reply, but it is still lacking a major "relaity check". It is and will be going ahead whether anyone likes it or not unfortunately and in short its down to "economies of scale" at the end of the day. SDCC vets have supposedly approved the site, yet the kennels that were supposed to be built haven't been yet.The charity from Dunboyne were not even consulted at any stage and are still being ignored, despite constant emails.

The Councillors don't get a say in this apparently though, it's through the "executive function" whoever they are.

There is a meeting apparently in the Civic Centre in Clondalkin this Friday @4pm to discuss this and is open to the public.

Unfortunately, these "faceless" execs won't care less as long as they're patted on the back for saving money and will just "tut tut" at the inevitable increase in PTS statistics in 2014.Makes me sick to my stomach so it does.

Kukey

I have just read about a disabled lady, who is being charged €345 to reclaim her dog back from the pound!!
He has spent two nights in the pound.She is being fined for no license-no id tag
and boarding for the 2 nights.
They will only accept cash only,and will not let her pay in installments.
I think this is absolutely disgraceful,to expect people to have this kind of money.
If these are the new release fees/fines (from June 1st)then there are going to be an awful lot of dogs left there,due to people not being able to afford to get their dog back.:mad:
She is lucky her dog is not a RB as another €160 would be added to that bill!!

anniehoo

Kukey wrote: »

I have just read about a disabled lady, who is being charged €345 to reclaim her dog back from the pound!!!!

I read this too but i find it hard to believe tbh. From the Fingal County council website it's still stating:

wrote:

Stray dogs will be taken by the dog warden to the dog pound where they must be kept for 5 days. Ashton Pound, River Road, Ashtown, Castleknock, Dublin 15 Ph. 8383236 / 8683038 (near Halfway House Pub, Navan Road) provides Fingal's dog warden and the pound service is operated by them for Fingal County Council.

If you want to reclaim your dog, you will have to pay the Pound a reclaim fee of €20 plus a charge of €8 bed and board for each night your dog remains in the Pound. If you do not have a current dog licence you will have to buy one also for €20. If you don't keep your dog under effectual control you can get a €30 on-the-spot fine and if you don't pay the fine you can be prosecuted and receive a fine of up to €1,270 and / or 3 months imprisonment.

time lord

Kukey wrote: »

I have just read about a disabled lady, who is being charged €345 to reclaim her dog back from the pound!!
He has spent two nights in the pound.She is being fined for no license-no id tag
and boarding for the 2 nights.
They will only accept cash only,and will not let her pay in installments.
I think this is absolutely disgraceful,to expect people to have this kind of money.
If these are the new release fees/fines (from June 1st)then there are going to be an awful lot of dogs left there,due to people not being able to afford to get their dog back.:mad:
She is lucky her dog is not a RB as another €160 would be added to that bill!!

Very sharpe practice. Doing the double on tag and no licence for €100 each is very mean. Only thing I concur with is not accepting instalments. I have found once the dog is released the people never come back to pay agreed instalments and legal steps cannot be brought to a conclusion once any instalment however slight off the main bill has been accepted by the relevant authority.

channelsurfer2

if anyone has access to www.etenders.gov.ie the tender documents from SDCC are online with full details of what type of service SDCC tendered out for. Only thing is you have to register your interest to download them.

Closing date was April this year. Anyone wondering why other people have not been notified yet is because there is a 2 week period where a letter of intent has to go the successful bidder and they are asked for all formal documents to support their bid before the contract can be signed.
The unsuccessful bidders are then notified (well at least they should be) at the same time that it is intended to place a contract but if you haven't bid for the service you wont be notified obviously.

Toulouse

We're not talking about notification of tender results. They have been released to the 2 parties that applied weeks ago. The council are issuing statements to councillors that have enquired, they even answered a query on their FB page from a concerned citizen.

We are talking here about the complete dismissal of the rescue group that have been taking 70% of the SDCC dogs from Dunboyne up to now and have worked hard to have the other 30% reclaimed or rehomed through their facebook page. They have not been informed. They heard on the grapevine just like everyone else over 2 weeks ago, e-mailed the council and have had no response.

The council are going to send 1200 dog a year to Ashton, which can barely cope with the figures it has now (1 in every 4 go down), with no rescue plan in place for them.

I saw the tender documents, there was a small welfare section in it but this was obviously not big factor in the decision to integrate the SDCC pound service with that of Fingal and DCC.

anniehoo

Wardens are now saying dogs from next Wed onwards are going to Ashton and any dogs currently in Dunboyne next week will be transported on Thursday. :(:(

Toulouse

WHAT?

Why can't they do what Meath did and leave any dogs picked up before the new contract kicked in, in the old pound.

This is seriously bad. The pound is full so if anyone out there is in the greater Dublin/Kildare/Carlow area please think about fostering. You can PM me for details. There are dogs in there way over their time so they will go down.

anniehoo

One of the girls just posted to say that's what the Warden said yesterday. They're not happy either as you can imagine. Pound was full apparently. My last time going there looks like this Saturday...

DBB

I simply do not understand where all of these dogs are going to go.
Ashton has limited holding facilities which are overcrowded at the best of times.
Dogs are going to be piled high, it will be incredibly stressful for them, and diseases will spread even more quickly than usual in this awful place. Ashton is, to put it bluntly, a kip.
There will be nobody now to watch the sdcc dogs' backs, because the logistics of reaching Ashton instead of Dunboyne make it impossible for the rescue to help these dogs any more. They must be devastated.
In any case, the treatment they have got is just bloody typical of what happens between councils and rescue groups, and it was this sort of bollockology that muscled the big, well organised rescue group out of Ashton several years ago.
These rescue groups make the councils look good: they are directly responsible for high rehoming rates and low pts rates. But it seems to me that after a few years of this, the councils get this big idea that they can do it themselves, and they get rid of the rescue... Wouldn't want them stealing the pound's thunder, now would we?
Well, history has shown that pounds can't manage on their own once they've muscled out the rescue group.
When that large rescue group was bullied out of Ashton, the place went to the dogs, if you'll pardon the pun. No more soft beds, no more toys, no more Christmas deliveries for the poor ole dogs impounded over the festive season, dog walkers getting bullied out of the place so that dogs don't get walked, no more foster homes, no more immediate veterinary attention for sick and injured dogs.... The list goes on.
And the same fate awaits sdcc dogs. Only now it's far worse, because there just isn't room for them all.
I wonder will we ever see actual pts rates ever again from this pound? I very much doubt it. They need to make themselves look good, that they're managing just fine without the rescue group involvement.

Toulouse

anniehoo wrote: »

One of the girls just posted to say that's what the Warden said yesterday. They're not happy either as you can imagine. Pound was full apparently. My last time going there looks like this Saturday...

It'll be the last set of photos I'd imagine as those dogs will all be time up on or before Thursday. Can't see them allowing photos of anything brought in after Saturday as they'll all be moved to Ashton.

fiacha

DBB wrote: »

, dog walkers getting bullied out of the place so that dogs don't get walked,

Hi,
What is the background to this comment ? (PM if you don't want to post on the forum)

I started walking dogs in Ashton a few months ago, and I felt very welcome there. The two lads I see there seemed happy to have someone there to walk the dogs.

No personal agenda here, I'm just getting my eyes opened to the issues in that pound.

Thanks.

DBB

Fair enough fiacha, I'm glad to hear you've had good experiences. However, there have been a number of incidents over the years with certain staff members there (not kennel staff) being appallingly rude to voluntary dog walkers.
There are so few people (if any?) still walking dogs there who were there a couple of years ago.

timshel.

Is there anything that can be done?
Do you think they will allow a rescue to begin working with them again? Surely they cant just do nothing about it.

I know that logistically its not great for the large rescue that operates out of Dunboyne pound but I would be more than willing to travel to the pound weekly to take pictures of the dogs and help to transport them?
Is this something that is even possible?

anniehoo

timshel. wrote: »

I know that logistically its not great for the large rescue that operates out of Dunboyne pound but I would be more than willing to travel to the pound weekly to take pictures of the dogs and help to transport them?
Is this something that is even possible?

They have made the decision not to continue with Ashton. While they have a huge following, the level of volunteers who are reliable and consistent are shockingly low. The majority are either Kildare or Meath based and do transport runs regularly (even on their lunchbreaks) so to add another 40mins there and back onto this is not going to work. People say they will volunteer but in reality they start off well, but fade out when the enormity of the work involved becomes too much.

I feel so so sorry for the charity, I really do. They were kept in the dark the whole way through and have basically got the biggest kick in the teeth ever after 7 years of slogging their guts out. The Local Authority have had zero respect for what they have achieved and I am sick to my stomach at the prospects of what is going to happen in Ashton from next week onwards.

timshel.

Do you think any rescue is going to start operating out of Ashton pound?

Is there any at the moment? The one I thought that worked out of there now seems to deal with Dunboyne.

could someone please PM me the rescue that were (by all accounts) kicked out of Ashton?

Toulouse

It's the one you're thinking of timshel, the one you've worked with before.

timshel.

So does any rescue work with Ashton now?

Inexile

Any chance any of the larger well recognised animal welfare organisation would help raise the issue both within the media and directly with the council. I know the rescue involved in Dunboyne did great work but seeing as they havent been considered Im wondering if another group might be able to make an appeal on the rescues behalf.

Im just wondering how do can the decision be reversed? What form of public action does it need - an organised demo outside the council offices, public parade, a letter writing campaign? Remember the nappy campaign where people posted huggies and pampers to a Goverment Dept in protest over something, Perhaps we could post off old dog collars to symbolise the dogs that will be killed off by this move.

Toulouse

timshel. wrote: »

So does any rescue work with Ashton now?

There's a UK one which is facilitated by an Irish rescue and there's a few smaller private ones helping but they are stretched to capacity with the dogs coming into Ashton already.

Also, to take a dog into rescue from SDCC currently you have to be an approved rescue or pay €25 release fee per dog, although this could be higher now as licence fees have gone up. There are only 2 approved rescues and one is being ignored and the other is full so will be interesting to see if they stick to that little rule of theirs when the pound moves.

Inexile - I don't know of anyone who would make representations on the rescues behalf. If the council won't communicate with the rescue already working from their pound then I can't see them getting into it with another.

Inexile

Toulouse wrote: »

Inexile - I don't know of anyone who would make representations on the rescues behalf. If the council won't communicate with the rescue already working from their pound then I can't see them getting into it with another.

I was kind of thinking about the one that offers the neutering vouchers for those on social welfare I absolutely dont want to belittle in anyway the work done by the rescue currently working there but I just another national group may bring more clout to the campaign. Just trying to think a bit outside the box and unfortunately probably clutching at straws

Raminahobbin

I feel physically sick at this news.

I saw it on the rescues page when all this broke. I just cannot fathom such a complete lack of gratitude and respect is being shown to the rescue. Does anyone know how often these tenders go up? It seems unlikely that it's a yearly thing. I hate that money speaks so loudly

I helped out when I could with transport from Dunboyne, and the place was always packed with dogs. It's very, very clear from all the stuff I've heard that Ashtown are going to sacrifice welfare even more than before once they start dealing with the extra dogs.

If I'M feeling this disheartened and I'm only an occasional transporter, I can only imagine how the people running the rescue feel- and if any of them read this I'm so, so sorry that all your hard work and dedication and sacrifices have come to this. Please just think about all the dogs you have helped and all the lives you've changed to date, and know that tonnes of people did/do appreciate everything you've done.

Genuinely don't know what I can do to help. Everything I can think of seems empty.

Toulouse

Inexile wrote: »

I was kind of thinking about the one that offers the neutering vouchers for those on social welfare I absolutely dont want to belittle in anyway the work done by the rescue currently working there but I just another national group may bring more clout to the campaign. Just trying to think a bit outside the box and unfortunately probably clutching at straws

Completely understand where you're coming from and they are aware what's happening. New ideas are all good.

I think the whole crux of the problem here is that SDCC just don't consider the welfare of any dogs that they take in as strays and surrenders to be as important as the bottom line!

Inexile

Toulouse wrote: »

I think the whole crux of the problem here is that SDCC just don't consider the welfare of any dogs that they take in as strays and surrenders to be as important as the bottom line!

yes that is the problem but how can they be made consider the welfare of the dogs. Wonder if the TV3 morning programme would take it up. They have some nice animal spots with Pete the Vet and an adoption spot with a rescue.

Either the decision is changed or a means to work with Ashton has to be worked out.

Mind you its all very well for me spouting off sitting as I am down the rear end other country and not much use to any Dublin dogs.

timshel.

Could someone please PM me the names of the rescues that are working out of ashton?

bernard0368

Can a resident in the SDCC area buy their dog Licence from another local authority which has better animal welfare considerations (if it exists) as a form of protest?

DBB

bernard0368 wrote: »

Can a resident in the SDCC area buy their dog Licence from another local authority which has better animal welfare considerations (if it exists) as a form of protest?

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1986/en/act/pub/0032/sec0003.html#sec3

Unfortunately not.
The license must be bought in the "functional area" in which the dog usually lives. The functional area is described in the definitions as the area covered by the relevant local authority.