Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the powers that exist to deal with dogs who have bitten a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20065/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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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. The Act further provides that the owner of a dog shall be liable for damage caused in an attack on any person.