Written answers

Tuesday, 18 January 2011

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Control of Dogs

8:00 am

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the annual budget for the management of dog pounds; the policy concerning euthanasia or rescue services for dogs in the pounds; and his views on the high rate of euthanasia of dogs in pounds in some counties and his plans to request a reference to pound dog welfare in the proposed Animal Health and Welfare Bill. [2495/11]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Under the Control of Dogs Act 1986 a local authority may accept unwanted dogs and may dispose of such dogs in a humane manner. The 1986 Act requires every local authority to maintain shelters for dogs, brought into their possession, under any of the provisions of the Act. The management of such shelters is a function of local authorities.

The Act also provides that authorities may enter into arrangements with third parties for the provision and maintenance of such shelters and for the exercise of the functions of the local authority under the Act in respect of, inter alia, the detention, disposal and destruction of stray dogs. Individual policies in relation to the organisation of euthanasia and rescue services for dogs, in accordance with the overall framework provided by the 1986 Act, are a matter for each local authority.

Based on the most recent information available in my Department, for the year 2009, the expenditure by local authorities on dog control was €5.69 million. This figure includes the cost of providing shelters and all other services provided by local authorities in relation to dog control. The number of dogs put down by or on behalf of local authorities has fallen considerably over the past number of years. In 2006, some 14,598 dogs were humanely put down in local authority shelters. In 2009, the number of dogs put down in local authority shelters had fallen to 6,506, a drop of almost 56%. It is anticipated that this figure will continue to decline.

The Dog Breeding Establishment Act, 2010, which will commence shortly, provides that all dog breeding establishments are required to register with the relevant local authority, pay a registration fee and most importantly meet veterinary, welfare and other standards. My Department is currently completing the public consultation in relation to a set of guidelines on the standards to be maintained in relation to premises covered by the Act. I am confident that the Act will improve the welfare of dogs in the State and should ensure that fewer dogs have to be put down on welfare grounds.

My colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, is preparing an Animal Health and Welfare Bill. I have no plans, at this time, to request specific reference to local authority dog shelters in that Bill.

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