Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1993

Vol. 425 No. 7

Written Answers. - Control of Dogs.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

244 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to re-examine recent regulations which were made under the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act, 1992, in connection with the muzzling of certain categories of dogs; if he has received any recent representations from dog owners concerning these regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Mr. Stagg)

Representations are received from time to time from a variety of sources in relation to the muzzling requirements of the Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations, 1991.

The Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act, 1992 now provides the necessary powers to establish an effective system for the control of dangerous types of dogs. It permits the making of regulations to prohibit specified types of dogs from public places, or specified public places; to require the insurance of specified types of dogs; to prohibit the ownership, keeping, purchase, disposal, abandonment, allowing to stray, breeding or importation of specified types of dangerous dogs; or, ultimately, to require the destruction or sterilisation of such dangerous dogs. The range of measures now available means that we can respond in a balanced way to the levels of threat presented by various types of dogs and the muzzling regulations are being reviewed in the context of these new provisions. There have been consultations with the Irish Veterinary Association, the Irish Kennel Club, the ISPCA and other bodies in relation to the control of dangerous dogs. It is intended that new regulations to deal with this matter will be made shortly.