Vol. 563 No. 1
548 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of dogs in the country for which their owners do not have licences; if he has plans to deal with unlicensed dogs and dogs which are allowed to roam free and pose dangers to humans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7390/03]
There is no reliable data on the existing dog population in Ireland. A survey conducted some years ago indicated an approximate level of ownership of one in five persons, which would suggest a dog population of 780,000 approximately. In 2001, the latest year for which statistics are available, a total of 155,761 dog licences and 203 general dog licences were issued. My Department regularly reminds local authorities of the need to promote dog licensing through local publicity and licence checking campaigns.
The statutory framework for the control of dogs, the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 and the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 is comprehensive. The principal features of the system involve local authorities or, in some cases, the ISPCA acting on their behalf, discharging dog control functions, including appointing dog wardens, operating shelters for stray or unwanted dogs, seizing stray dogs and arranging for the destruction of dogs that are not reclaimed or for which new homes cannot be found. Dog control legislation also imposes requirements on the owner or other persons in charge of a dog not to permit the dog to be in any place other than the premises of the owner or other person whose consent has been obtained. In any other place, the dog must be accompanied and kept under effectual control.
As regards dangerous dogs, the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 prescribe leashing and muzzling requirements in respect of ten breeds of dogs. These requirements must be observed when the dog is in a public place and the person in charge must be over 16 years of age and must be capable of controlling the dog. Furthermore, the 1986 Act gives specific powers to the courts to order that a dog, which the court considers dangerous, shall be kept under proper control or be destroyed.
Question No. 549 answered with Question No. 540.
