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Animal Welfare

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Questions (843)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

843. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the sections of animal welfare in particular under which the remit of dogs fall. [34926/20]

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Written answers

Following further clarification, I understand the Deputy is referring to my Department’s policy and legislative responsibility relating to the control of dogs and dog breeding establishments. The relevant Acts are the Control of Dogs Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. All operational matters in relation to this area are the responsibility of the Local Authorities. This includes the day-to-day regulation of the sector, enforcement of the legislation and the regulation and inspection of dog breeding establishments.

In July 2018, following a public consultation, my Department published revised guidelines for dog breeding establishments. These came into effect on 1 January 2019. There was a substantial shift in the new guidelines towards a focus on the welfare of dogs and pups. My Department is currently developing necessary legislative amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and some minor amendments to the Control of Dogs Acts, with a view to inclusion in the 2021 Government legislative programme.

My Department also publishes annual statistics in respect of a range of dog control responsibilities of local authorities. Information up to and including 2019 is available at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/879d4c-dog-control-statistics/. The 2020 dog control statistics will be collated and published in 2021.

It is important to bear in mind that the enforcement of animal welfare standards for all animals, including dogs, is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Animal Health and Welfare Acts. Both Departments work closely with each other to ensure a coordinated approach is taken in this area.

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