Clare County Council has awarded a contract to operate the county's Dog Warden Service.
An Offaly-based company is taking over the service on a two-year term, after the issue became the focus of protests in recent weeks.
Midland Animal Care Limited of Ballyshane, Cloghan, County Offaly have been awarded a 24-month contract to run the Clare Dog Warden Service, beginning in 2016.
The company are already running similar services in Roscommon and Offaly, and will now manage dog control throughout the county and the running of the Dog Shelter at the Gort Road in Ennis.
The existing dog warden Frankie Coote and his Kennel Assistant will retain their current positions.
The contract has been awarded after a protracted process which had been expected to result in a decision as early as August.
At that stage, a Cork-based company ACS, were widely expected to be awarded the contract, but today's announcement confirms that's not the case.
