Vol. 279 No. 6
(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the menace constituted by young people parading the streets of Dublin city with alsatian dogs; and if he will consider making it a condition of the ownership of these animals that Garda permission be first obtained.
90.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider introducing measures to ensure that alsatian and such dogs must be licensed by application to the local Garda Síochána.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together.
I am informed by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána that, for some time past, the Garda in Dublin have been making a determined effort to discourage the practice of young persons parading the city streets accompanied by alsatian dogs and that, as a result, the practice has declined considerably.
I have no power to impose controls of the kind suggested and I do not think that it has been established that the position is such as to warrant legislation.
(Dublin Central): I agree that only a small number of irresponsible people are parading Dublin with alsatians. It was also suggested at this meeting that those people should have to apply to the police for a licence. These young people are terrorising certain sections in the city——
A question please, Deputy.
(Dublin Central): ——especially in the builtup areas. This is causing a grave problem.
I am aware of this problem and so are the Garda. As I indicated, the Garda have been making a very determined effort over the past 18 months to discourage this practice. This effort has been successful. The number of youths parading these dogs has declined. This matter is still getting attention from the Garda. The Deputy can be assured that if anything more is required, recommendations will be made to me by the Garda.
Would the Minister consider a more thorough inquiry by the police authorities in the different areas before they issue dog licences to those people? The increase to £3 does not mean anything to them. Many people have been terrorised by gangs of skinheads or bootboys or whatever they are called. Even in the suburbs ladies' handbags are being snatched. Would the Minister consider instructing the Garda to institute a very detailed inquiry before they issue a licence and insist that all dogs are licensed?
The Garda have no discretion to refuse licences. This is a revenue law, and not a supervisory law relating to dogs. While I agree that the presence of the types referred to by the Deputy gave rise to concern, we must be careful not to exaggerate or give the impression that this city is a lawless or dangerous area. It is not. There are areas in it where there is a higher degree of vandalism than in other areas and there are occasional peaks but we must be careful not to give a wrong impression.
Has the Minister power to have the dogs muzzled?
No, I am not aware of any such power but that is off the top of my head. I do not think there is legal power to compel dogs to be muzzled. This is an obligation which would fall on an owner whose dog is known to be dangerous.
Alsatians by nature are known to be dangerous.
The Deputy must know the old saying: one bite is all right but the second you pay for.
Somebody said that was a fallacy.
