Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 May 2006
65 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in view of recent reports of the use of ports here to import pit-bull terriers with Northern Ireland destinations, importation of such animals into the Republic is in fact legal; and his plans to ensure that this practice of importing such dangerous animals is stopped. [17600/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for applying controls on the importation of dogs from the perspective of disease control, primarily protection from rabies. Under current legislation, importation of pit-bull terriers is not prohibited. While statutory responsibility for the control of dogs does not lie with my Department, I understand that it is not illegal in Ireland to own a dog of the breed described by the Deputy.
