Ms Deirdre Kelly:

I thank the Cathaoirleach for this 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 colleagues; Ms. Catherine Burns, assistant principal officer, and Ms. Michelle Casserly, higher executive officer. My Department has policy and legislative responsibility for two areas relating to dogs, namely, the Control of Dogs Act 1986 and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. As my colleagues from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have outlined, a number of areas relating to dog ownership also fall under its remit. Under the Control of Dogs Act, local authorities have responsibility for all operational activities. They have the power to appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against owners. Similarly, under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, local authorities have powers regarding the licensing and inspection of dog breeding establishments. I will discuss these areas in more detail shortly. Furthermore, local government falls under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, while littering offences, including dog fouling, fall under the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

Regarding the general topic of dog ownership, the committee members will be aware, as Mr. Ryan has already mentioned, that the Ministers, Deputies McConalogue and Humphreys, established a working group on dog control in January of this year. The report of this working group was published in March, and recommended a number of changes to the dog control landscape. The Department of Rural and Community Development, with our colleagues in the Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is committed to implementing the recommendations assigned to our Department and will work in collaboration with our colleagues do so. Since the establishment of this group, we have continued to meet regularly and have strengthened the close working relationship between our Departments, working towards a co-ordinated approach to dog issues. In practice, there can be a considerable degree of overlap between policy issues such as dog control, dog welfare, strays and surrenders, and other public concerns. In terms of the legislation and policy for which we are responsible, the Control of Dogs Act provides for the licensing and control of dogs and the manner in which dogs may come into the possession of dog wardens and pounds, while operational matters are the responsibility of the local authorities.

The Department of Rural and Community Development also collates and publishes annual statistics on local authority dog related activities. These include, for example, information on stray and unwanted dogs, numbers of dog licences, enforcement actions, and the operation of local authority dog shelters and dog breeding establishments. The statistics are available on the gov.iewebsite. In February, the Department of Rural and Community Development advised the committee that it was its intention to undertake analysis of the statistics. I am pleased to advise that this was published in July this year for operations to end of 2022 and we are planning to do the same next year. Statistics for 2023 will begin to be collated early in 2024 for analysis and publication. To better inform policymaking, the Department is considering, what, if any, additional statistics could be reasonably gathered and requested from local authority dog control operations from the year beginning 2024. The statistics offer some useful data on the number of dogs entering pounds and shelters, whether by straying or surrender. As evidenced through licensing figures, pet dog numbers in Ireland remained relatively stable in the years leading up to 2020 and the onset of Covid-19. The notable rise in dog ownership over that time also corresponded with a fall in the number of dogs surrendered to pounds. However, surrender rates have begun to trend back upwards post Covid-19, and from conversations with colleagues in dog control and the charities sector, we are expecting the 2023 statistics to show further increases in surrenders.

Anecdotal reports from dog welfare charities suggest a return to life post lockdown, resumption of in-office working and reopening of travel and wider society has left many dog owners struggling with dogs that had been accustomed to more attention and time. When coupled with the housing crisis and reports that landlords may be reluctant to accept dog owners as tenants, exacerbated by a cost-of-living crisis, it is clear that some dog owners have struggled to cope and feel no alternative but to surrender their dogs.

We are minded that some of this crisis may be avoided by a better understanding among the public of the commitment and the cost involved in dog ownership and for that reason have been working with the Department of agriculture on an initiative to raise awareness of obligations. We intend to roll that out in a more comprehensive way very shortly through the dog warden network and our stakeholder charity organisations. We will work to support training for dog wardens in 2024 to include capacity building in outreach activities in schools and communities. We are pleased to advise that the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has secured funding for a significant awareness campaign in 2024. This includes the action in the working group outlining this responsible dog ownership awareness week. It is intended that a portion of this additional funding will also be used to roll out a neutering campaign. The exact details of this are yet to be scoped, particularly in terms of how best to target this initiative. However, we look forward to engaging with colleagues to ensure it achieves the maximum impact possible.

We are aware that pounds are already under pressure so we have provided €2 million in capital funding to local authorities in 2023 to upgrade and improve their facilities. We would prefer, however, to be in a position whereby stray and surrendered dog numbers were lower. Having partnered with the animal welfare charity Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption, MADRA, and with Galway County Council to conduct a census of dogs in charities and pounds for World Animal Day this year, we recognise there is more that can be done to highlight this issue to the public, and to encourage conversations about dog ownership, people's obligations and choosing to adopt a dog for rehoming rather than shopping.

Legislative and policy responsibilities in relation to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Act 1986 transferred to the Department of Community and Rural Development from the then Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in July 2017 when the Department of Community and Rural Development was formed. That Department published dog breeding establishment guidelines in 2018. These guidelines were issued under section 15(4) of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 following a public consultation process and set standards that must be followed not just in relation to the structures, but also the management of the establishment. This extends to exercise, socialisation, enhancement and enrichment of the dogs.

Local authorities are responsible for the licensing and inspection of dog breeding establishments. However it is an area that the Department of Community and Rural Development is keeping under close review. In line with the recommendations of the working group report and this committee, the Department of Community and Rural Development has implemented a national, centralised database of registered dog breeding establishments, which will be regularly updated and is accessible on gov.ie.

The area of dog control is complex with many varying opinions on what is the best way forward. It is our intention to work closely with stakeholders and experts as we progress our work, particularly on legislative changes. This has meant that progress is perhaps not as quick as we would like. However, we feel there is value in having the conversations now in order that any changes are fit for purpose and deliver the optimal outcomes for communities, for dog owners, for the public and for the dogs themselves.

I hope that I have given members of the committee a good overview of the Department's responsibilities in respect of dogs and our role in moving policy forward. My colleague and I will be pleased to answer any questions the committee may have. I thank the committee for its attention.