Mr. Eoin Ryan:

I am grateful for the opportunity to address the committee on the topic of the impact of rising veterinary costs on dog ownership surrenders and abandoned dogs. I am joined by my colleague Dr. Robert Doyle, assistant secretary.

Dogs can be wonderful companions, enriching our lives in many ways, as we can enrich theirs through being responsible owners. Dog ownership is a significant commitment, however, and a dog should not be taken on lightly or without serious thought and consideration. Dogs can live for many years, during which time a responsible owner will devote time to taking care of them, training and exercising them, and will spend substantial sums over the years on feed, veterinary costs, dog licensing, microchipping and other expenses. The Department's guidance on responsible dog ownership highlights the following points. Is a dog the right choice for the person, for the family, for the home circumstances and lifestyle? Are financial resources available to cover the likely expenses? Will the dog be responsibly sourced? Is the person aware of the legal responsibilities of dog ownership, including dog control, licensing and microchipping? Unfortunately, some owners make the decision to surrender or even abandon their dogs. The reasons given may vary, with each case having its own circumstances. There is no published scientific research on the factors cited by owners influencing dog surrender in Ireland in recent years. A 2012 study on stray and surrendered dogs in Cork did not identify veterinary costs as a factor.

The Department has responsibility for five general areas relating to dogs, namely, the pet sales register, pet passports, the movement and trade of dogs internationally, the microchipping of dogs, and the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which applies to dogs. I will discuss these areas in more detail shortly. On the issue of control of dogs, the Ministers, Deputies McConalogue and Humphreys, established a working group on dog control at the start of this year. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, chairs and provides the secretariat for this working group. The group has produced a report that was approved by Cabinet and subsequently published, and this report contains a number of recommendations relating to the control of dogs. This group continues to meet, and work is ongoing to implement these recommendations.

The Department has an important role in dog welfare in the context of its overall policy responsibilities for animal welfare. The Animal Health and Welfare Act was introduced after public and stakeholder consultation, and with the legislative expertise of this committee. The Department has a strong history of supporting the welfare of animals, and animal welfare has never had a more important place regarding policy, resources, and practical implementation. The Department has more than 200 authorised officers under the Act who carry out welfare inspections in every county and are out on the ground every day providing advice and support to the keepers of animals. Members of An Garda Síochána as well as ISPCA and DSPCA inspectors are also authorised under the Act. Where necessary, legal sanctions are imposed, and prosecutions are taken when other efforts to ensure compliance have failed, or if there is blatant disregard for an animal's welfare. To date, 151 successful prosecutions have been taken under the Animal Health Act, of which 96 relate to dogs, and a number of other investigations are ongoing.

In 2021, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, launched Working Together for Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025, which was Ireland's first stand-alone animal welfare strategy. Delivering on the strategy and in response to the programme for Government commitment, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, established a new independently chaired Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare. Independent members with a range of expertise and experience have been appointed, including members from Veterinary Ireland, UCD, the ISPCA, the DSPCA, Dogs Trust, and others. This council, therefore, is a critical stakeholder grouping that will assist the Department in prioritising and advancing policy initiatives relating to companion animals. The council was instrumental in the development of the Department's approach to the animal welfare issue posed by brachycephalic, or flat-faced, dog breeds. An open letter has been issued by the Department on behalf of the council to media and advertising organisations, requesting that they refrain from the unnecessary use of images of these dogs in publications, on merchandise, or for product endorsement. The council is also advising the Minister on responsible pet ownership initiatives, which will contain guidance and information for pet owners and those considering acquiring pets.

Turning to another recent initiative on dog welfare, in September, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, introduced new regulations, SI 412/2023, on the cropping of dogs' ears. This is a cruel practice that causes severe pain for dogs. Cropping of dogs' ears has been illegal in Ireland since 2013 but these new regulations extended the existing prohibitions and protected dogs across Ireland from this unnecessary and needless mutilation. The Department acknowledges the valuable work done by animal welfare organisations, and our officials work closely with them every day. Since 2002, the Department has provided financial support to eligible charities, with record assistance of €5.8 million being awarded by the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, to 99 animal welfare organisations in December last year. Of this, almost €4.7 million went to 73 organisations directly working on dog welfare. This funding recognises the importance of the role such charities play in education, awareness raising, and the dissemination of knowledge to improve animal welfare; particularly relevant for encouraging responsible pet ownership. The animal welfare grants for 2023 are due to be announced shortly, and will again recognise the important work carried out by animal welfare charities, providing them with significant financial support.

The provision of veterinary services is a private sector business and the Department does not have a role in setting or determining the prices charged by veterinary practitioners. It recognises the pressure animal welfare charities - particularly dog charities - are under, and this is taken into account in the animal welfare grants, including in the 2023 animal welfare grants. We regularly engage with the charities to which we provide funding. For example, we hold an annual seminar for charities in receipt of Department grants, which is a valuable forum for discussion and for us to listen to those engaged in this difficult work every day. I will conclude by stating that the Department operates a confidential, dedicated animal welfare helpline, through which members of the public can report concerns about the welfare of any animal by phone or by email. The helpline can be contacted at 01-6072379, or by email at animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie. The Department received 1,251 animal welfare reports in 2022 and each one is followed up by a Department official or an ISPCA or DSPCA authorised officer, as appropriate. I hope I have given members of the committee a good overview of the Department's responsibilities in respect of dogs. My colleague and I will be pleased to answer any questions the members may have.