Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 533: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the breeds of dog which are classified as dangerous and for which greater restrictions apply in respect of ownership and release in public places; and the basis for the choice of breeds. [29436/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998 provide that a person shall not permit one of the dogs listed to be in a public place unless the dog is securely muzzled, and is being led by a sufficiently strong chain or leash, not exceeding two metres in length, by a person over the age of sixteen years who is capable of controlling the dog:

American Pit Bull Terrier;

Bull Mastiff;

Doberman Pinscher;

English Bull Terrier;

German Shepherd (Alsatian);

Japanese Akita;

Japanese Tosa;

Rhodesian Ridgeback;

Rottweiler;

Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog),

and every other strain or cross of every breed or type of dog described in the list.

The list of dogs was arrived at following discussions with a range of stakeholders and in light of the potential danger which those specific breeds were considered to pose to public safety.