Control of Dogs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 January 2013

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Ceisteanna (171)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

171. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the recent attack on, and mauling of, a family pet by hounds of a County Carlow based hunt and in view of the clear and present danger posed by hunting dogs to domestic animals, livestock, pets and so on, if he will ban all hunting of wild animals with packs of dogs in the countryside. [4725/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I understand that this matter is currently being investigated by An Garda Síochána under the Control of Dogs Act 1986. In regard to the hunting of animals generally, this is a separate and distinct matter from the present case. The Animal Health and Welfare Bill makes provision for lawful hunting unless a animal is released in a injured, mutilated or exhausted condition.