Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a rottweiler dog is regarded as a dangerous dog (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16032/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 place controls on ten breeds of dogs including the Rottweiler breed. These Regulations were introduced to protect the public from attack by dogs which have the potential to inflict serious injury. The controls, which must be observed when a rottweiler is in a public place, require that it, or a type and cross thereof, must be kept on a short lead by a person over 16 years of age who is capable of controlling it and that it be securely muzzled.

The Control of Dogs Act 1986 contains specific requirements in relation to the control of dogs by owners and persons in charge of dogs, including places where a dog is permitted to be. Section 22 of the Act in particular provides that, on a complaint being made to the District Court by any interested person that a dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control, the court has powers to order that a dog, which the court considers dangerous, be kept under proper control or be destroyed.