Control of Dogs

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

Questions (553)

Barry Cowen

Question:

553. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 512 of 17 July 2014, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are significant differences in the breed specific dog legislation in place here and that in place in the the UK, as outlined (details supplied); if, having taken this into account, he will commission an independent evaluation of the domestic and international evidence regarding breed specific dog legislation with the aim of bringing Irish regulations in line with international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46284/14]

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Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Specific control requirements in relation to certain dog breeds are set out in the Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs ) Regulations 1998. The specific control requirements in these Regulations are a balanced and workable arrangement which recognise the rights of dog owners as well as the needs of society to be protected from dogs with a significant capability to inflict very serious injury.

As outlined in the reply to Questions Nos 509, 510, 511 and 512 of 17 July 2014, several jurisdictions have addressed the matter of restrictions of particular breeds of dogs in a similar way to Ireland. I do not plan to launch a review of dog control legislation on the basis of a different list of breeds being restricted in other jurisdictions.