asked the Minister for the Environment the number of dog licences issued since the introduction of legislation to control dogs; his views on whether the legislation has been effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dog Licences.
31.
The licensing provisions of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, came into effect on 1 April 1987. Provisional figures for the month of April indicate that approximately 63,000 dog licences were purchased during that month. While it is too early at this stage to comment on the overall effectiveness of the legislation, the initial signs are encouraging. Licence receipts for April 1987 compare very favourably with figures for previous full years. Most counties have established dog control schemes which involve the appointment of dog wardens and the operation of shelters and I expect that the remainder will make appropriate arrangements in the near future.