Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 10

Written Answers. - Dog Controls.

Austin Currie

Question:

182 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for the Environment the regulations which exist for controlling the breeding, sale and ownership of rottweilers, pit bull terriers and bandogs; if he has satisfied himself that such regulations are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

There are no regulations under the Control of Dogs Act, 1986, relating specifically to the matters referred to.

Under the 1986 Act, dogs generally are required to be licensed, and to be kept under effectual control. The need for effective enforcement of the relevant provisions has repeatedly been brought to the attention of the local authorities concerned. The 1986 Act also introduced new provisions about the liability of dog owners for injury or damage done by a dog and provisions under which the District Court order dangerous dogs to be kept under proper control or destroyed. The special problem of guard dogs was dealt with in the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 (Guard Dogs) Regulations, 1988.

The question of what further measures may be necessary for the control of dogs, either generally or with respect to particular categories, is being kept under review. However, since the reported incidents of attacks by dogs seem generally to involve breaches of the existing law, it may be that progress could be better achieved by more effective enforcement of existing provisions than by adding new requirements.