Before the horrific attack on the child in England by the American pitbull terrier, I had tabled a Dáil question to the Minister on the question of curbs on these and other dangerous breeds. No doubt my question will come before the House in the normal way. However, the situation has changed dramatically in the last few days. It is for this reason that I attempted to raise the matter on the Adjournment yesterday and succeeded in doing so on the second attempt today.
The situation has changed largely as a result of the swift and effective action taken by the British Prime Minister in banning the ownership of these animals, breeding them or their importation into Britain. While this news, in one sense, is very welcome in that it gives a lead to other countries, it also means that there could be an attempt to flood Ireland with dogs from Britain, and this country may be used as a back door to gain access to the future British black market. The possibility of a spill-over from Britain of the most dangerous fighting breeds in the world is an immediate and very real threat. In view of this, the Minister's belated announcement of very limited measures is both inadequate and unworkable. It is far too little, far too late.
To explain why the Minister's measures are unworkable, I need only refer to Dublin city alone, where there is a large number of these breeds, particularly the American pitbulls. The question is, who will implement the new regulations? Dublin Corporation have in their service a mere three hardworking dog wardens. They have not the resources, equipment or manpower to tackle pitbulls, Japanese Tosas, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Rott-weilers etc. They are not permitted to use stun guns or phasers and are equipped only with the traditional pole and net. The service costs Dublin Corporation £90,000 per year. The have requested and have been refused additional funds. Will the Minister provide extra funds for manpower, equipment etc.? The Minister rarely provides additional funds to Dublin Corporation for anything.
Who would the wardens be up against, apart from the vicious animals? I need hardly say here, that there are many responsible persons who own such animals, and they will, no doubt, co-operate with the new regulations. However there is another type of owner, and I will give two examples in my own area of the north inner city. Several months ago Dublin Corporation officials and gardaí attempted to carry out an eviction of a squatter in a city centre flat. The squatter, a young man, is a drug dealer, who has his neighbours, some of them very elderly, living in fear. He boasted he would not be evicted, and he was right. Why? He has two savage pitbull dogs in the flat and he let them loose. Needless to say the city officials hastily withdrew. He is still in his flat with his pitbulls today.
The second example is of a young individual in his early twenties. He is the current main heroin pusher in the north inner city. He has occupied that reprehensible position for the last year or so. The Garda are making every effort to bring him to justice. So far they have failed. One of the many difficulties they face is the very large and vicious rott-weiler this person takes with him when he is at his sickening business.
Both of these individuals will be immediately recognisable to the Garda even from the general accounts I have given. Indeed a Garda representative was quoted today as saying that:
.... These animals are considered to be a weapon by criminals — there is a clear danger to society which requires us to look again at legislation because these animals can be lethal.
There are many more examples like the two I mentioned both in the inner city and in the large estates on the periphery of Dublin city and they are increasing in number. Who will make these people muzzle their animals? What is needed is the same swift and decisive action that we witnessed in Britain. These animals must be banned. Their importation must be banned and those already here must be destroyed. The Minister is quoted in today's Irish Independent as saying that he will not hesitate to do this if it is warranted. I trust the Minister will take the opportunity here tonight to explain what he means by “if it is warranted”. Does this mean he will ban them if there are similar horrific attacks on children as witnessed in Britain? Does it mean after, and only after, children are savaged and killed? I hope this is not what the Minister meant. Let there be no doubt about it, this will happen unless the Minister acts now.
A Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals spokesperson stated:
There is now an immediate risk every day that someone here will be attacked and severely injured if not killed.
These dogs have no innocent function. They are not pets by any stretch of the imagination. They are for fighting and bred for that alone".
