Vol. 427 No. 7
92 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals, if any, he has to introduce legislation to protect citizens and their property from injury or damage caused by unlicensed/unattended dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Control of Dogs Acts, 1986 to 1992, contain significant provisions designed to protect persons and property. I might mention, in particular, Section 21 of the 1986 Act which provides that, subject to certain conditions, the owner of a dog shall be liable in damages for damage caused in an attack on any person by the dog and for injury done by it to any livestock. In addition, the Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations, 1991, provide for effective controls such as leads and muzzles for certain types of dogs.
Section 19 of the 1986 Act, as amended by the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act, 1992 empowers the Minister for the Environment to make regulations covering a wide variety of measures to improve existing dog controls. Proposals for such regulations are being considered at present.
