Ms Nanci Creedon:

The theory test could be done in a very similar way to that relating to the driving test. A person would go off and buy a DVD or a book, or it might all be online. It is all scientifically based. It would be basic information on why punishment leads to an increase in aggression, why dogs getting hyperactive increases the risk of bites and so on. Yes, the additional cost might turn people off but if it turns people off and they do not get dogs then that is perfectly okay with most of us because that means they are not invested enough to care to learn enough about dogs to become responsible owners. If it stops them from becoming dog owners, then we are instantly filtering out those who are not fully committed. It is more of an impulse decision.

The Acting Chairman mentioned people not following legislation, not tipping their dogs or not getting licences. That is out of my hands. That is a legal issue if they are breaking the law. Ideally, if we did have a dog bite association that could go in and flag this to the gardaí or clamp down in its own way, it could all be logged on the dog's chip. As the Acting Chairman said, not every dog is chipped. Perhaps vets could be responsible whereby every dog that comes through their doors has to be scanned. If the chip is not there, that would be reported. It would be great to have an additional licence for dogs over a certain weight whereby they would have to be tested for temperament. You could scan the chip and tell the owner their dog is over the weight and has not passed the test. You would then flag the with whomever is responsible for preventing dog bites. It is a concept and maybe it is utopian but it would be fantastic if we could do something like that.