asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to introduce regulations for the control of guard dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
17.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Control of Guard Dogs.
9.
asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to a savage attack made upon two young primary school students in Tallaght, Dublin 24, by alsatian guard dogs; if he will outline the action, if any, he proposes to take to ensure that this type of offence does not recur; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 17 together.
I am empowered under section 19 of the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, to make regulations for the use and control of dogs and, specifically, for regulating the use of guard dogs in the course of business. Recent incidents have pointed to the need to consider activating this section of the Act by bringing in controls which would take account of public health and safety considerations and other relevant issues such as the question of animal welfare. I am, therefore, setting up a working party to advise me in this regard. I propose that the working party, who are to report within four months, will comprise representatives of the official bodies involved in dog control, including the Departments of the Environment and Justice, the Garda and the local authorities, as well as the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
I welcome the Minister's reply. In view of the recent serious incidents involving escaped guard dogs when the Garda and authorities complained that they had great difficulty in tracing the owners, will the Minister ensure that one of the issues considered by the working party will be that identity tags should be required for all guard dogs to avoid any such confusion in the future?
I am not quite sure but I think that is a requirement under the law at present. I would certainly regard it as a minimum requirement in any new arrangements that will be introduced. I am aware of the incident to which the Deputy referred and that the gardaí were not able to establish the ownership of the dogs.
Identity tags are required under the law at persent.
Yes, but it does not apply in particular to guard dogs inside fences.
It applies to all dogs.
I know it is in the regulations——
Please, Deputies. Members wishing to ask a question should rise in their places and be recognised by the Chair.
I apologise.
I welcome the Minister's decision to establish the working party, but, having regard to the serious problems that have arisen and the fact that the other legislation, the Control of Dogs Act, is not being implemented as effectively as many people would like in urban areas, could the Minister indicate when the working party are likely to complete their report and what type of action he envisages he will be in a position to take by way of the implementation of existing legislation? What is the sense of urgency in relation to this working party? When will they issue their report and what kind of improvements does the Minister envisage?
Letters inviting participation in the working group have already issued and, within four months from the date of the response, I expect the report. The Control of Dogs Act, 1986, came into operation early in 1987 but it has not been implemented in all areas. I asked local authorities early in January to give me returns regarding the position in their own areas on 31 December 1987. We will have to find a more effective way of implementing the legislation because there are 700,000 dogs in the country and I suppose about one-third of them are licensed. I should like the working party to consider not just guard dogs wandering loose in compounds——
They should consider foxes and the like.
I hope to have a regime which will be workable and which will remove fear in locations where guard dogs are let loose.
The Minister should do the same for horses.