Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014
425. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the dates on which has he recently engaged with expert bodies on the current Control of Dogs Act 1998 regulations; the expert bodies that have recommended keeping the Control of Dogs Act 1998 regulations breed specific, rather than adopting a breed-neutral system of restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17727/14]
View answerThe Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 set out the main provisions for dog control and the requirements these contain to keep dogs under effectual control are breed neutral.
The Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations, 1991 set out requirements in relation to specific dog breeds, whereby their owners must have the dogs muzzled, leashed and led by a competent person over 16 years of age when in public. The decision to introduce these further specific control requirements was taken as a balanced and workable arrangement which recognises the rights of dog owners versus the needs of society to be protected from dogs with a significant capability to inflict very serious injury.
I am not undertaking a specific review of these regulations, therefore I have not met recently with organisations on this specific topic. My Department meets regularly with organisations involved in dog control and dog welfare issues, as well as with the professional staff of the local authority veterinary services around the country, in order to keep up to date on current issues and discuss matters of mutual importance. I remain open to all views and developments in this area and receive such views from interested parties on an ongoing basis.
