Control of Dogs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2015

Tuesday, 26 May 2015

Ceisteanna (976)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

976. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the impact the Control of Dogs Act 1998 Regulations are having on animal welfare, with a number of pounds reportedly not allowing the rehoming of dogs perceived as one of the breeds listed; his views on local authority housing not allowing tenants with dogs perceived as being one of the breeds; if he will address each of these points individually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20747/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The rehoming policy in respect of dogs in local authority shelters for dogs seized, accepted or detained for the purposes of the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2010 is a matter for each local authority and I have no function in the matter.

Under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and control of local authority dwellings is vested in individual housing authorities, subject to the provisions of sections 58 and Regulations made under that enactment. Standard conditions have been prescribed for local authority letting agreements, including a condition:

- in urban authority letting agreements that, except with the consent of the authority, the tenant will not keep on the premises domestic pets likely to create a nuisance or become a source of annoyance; and

- in county council letting agreements that the tenant will not keep such pets on the premises, if required to refrain from so doing by the authority.

It is a matter for individual housing authorities to determine if additional conditions are required in their letting agreements in respect of particular classes of pets.