Ms Nanci Creedon:

Yes. It is time consuming and, financially, a bit of a resource is needed to be able to visit all these sites and make sure things are above board. I would love just one organisation to oversee all dog issues, whether it is breeding, making sure dogs are chipped or making sure owners of restricted breeds are following that legislation. We all know that nobody is following that legislation. The only time I see dogs muzzled on walks, unfortunately, is usually little terriers that may potentially be snappy, so the owners are being responsible and popping a muzzle on the dog. I do not see German shepherds or rottweilers muzzled. Occasionally you see pit bulls muzzled, but that is not being enforced. Hopefully, more legislation will come, whatever that legislation is. We need an organisation that will go around to enforce it. The Garda is busy. Potentially, it will be the dog wardens, having upskilled them and increasing their numbers. One body overseeing dog safety, dog legislation, compliance legislation and all that stuff would be lovely.