Bernard Allen
Question:238 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he proposes to introduce mandatory State subsidised neutering and spaying of all non-licenced dogs. [6228/04]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2004
238 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he proposes to introduce mandatory State subsidised neutering and spaying of all non-licenced dogs. [6228/04]
View answerI have no proposals for the introduction of such measures.
239 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he proposes to introduce mandatory State sponsored micro-chipping of all dogs to reunite missing dogs with their owners. [6229/04]
View answerThe Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 require the owner or other person in charge of a dog to ensure that the dog shall at all times wear a collar bearing the name and address of the owner inscribed thereon, on a plate, badge or disc attached thereto. The regulations contain penalties for non-compliance with this requirement or for defacing or rendering illegible the particulars described above.
These arrangements followed consideration of all practicable options for ensuring identification of dogs, including that of micro-chipping. There is, accordingly, no proposal at present to alter them.