John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 471: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any regulations are in place to deal with the issue of sheep worrying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24969/12]

John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are controls in place to deal with dogs taken from pounds or dog shelters by members of the public as far as the safety and health of the public and the impact on other animals like sheep are concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24996/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 482 together.

The Control of Dogs Act 1986 contains wide-ranging provisions to protect the safety and health of the public with regard to dogs. It sets out the provisions dealing with dangerous dogs, the duties of local authorities, the powers of local authority dog wardens and the right of local authorities to make bye-laws relating to the control of dogs within their functional areas. The Act also includes provisions in relation to worrying of livestock by dogs. Enforcement is a matter for the local authorities under the Act.

The Act does not differentiate between dogs taken from pounds, dog shelters or dogs from other sources.