Vol. 409 No. 6
48 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to provide any additional resources to local authorities to enable them to employ additional dog wardens to implement the proposed new regulations to control fighting dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The enforcement of the Dog Control Act, 1986, and of regulations made under that Act, including the employment of dog wardens, is a matter for the local authorities. I have recently asked the local authorities to take action to ensure that the legislation generally and, in particular, the new regulations, which provide for the leashing and muzzling of dangerous types of dogs, are strictly enforced. My Department have had discussions with the ISPCA which operate the dog warden service for the majority of the local authorities. I am satisfied that the service has the resources, and will shortly have the equipment, to effectively enforce the regulations and to operate a special mobile unit for this purpose.
