Vol. 566 No. 4
169 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has proposals to address the number of attacks on sheep by marauding dogs; if his Department compiles statistics on the number of such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8837/03]
Dog control legislation requires 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.
The worrying of livestock by a dog is an offence for which the owner, or any other person in charge of the dog, may be liable to a penalty involving a fine and-or a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both. The legislation also provides that the owner of a dog is liable for injury or damage caused by his or her dog to persons or livestock. Statistics on such attacks are not compiled by the Department.
