Written answers

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Animal Welfare

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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506. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation that would ensure the control of hunting dogs based on a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9659/14]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Control of Dogs Act 1986 , as amended , defines the obligations regarding control of dogs by their owners or any other person in charge of a dog. These obligations cover all dogs, regardless of whether they are hunting dogs or not.

Section 9 of the Act requires that the owner or person in charge of a dog must not permit the dog to be in any other place than the premises of the owner, the premises of such other person in charge of the dog or the premises of any other person with the consent of that person unless such owner or person in charge of the dog accompanies it and keeps it under effectual control.

Section 21 of the Act states that the owner of a dog is liable for damage caused in an attack on any person by the dog and for any inju ry done by it to any livestock. Section 22 of the Act enables any interested person to complain to the District Court that a dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control. The Court may, in addition to any other penalty which it may impose, order that the dog be kept under proper control or destroyed.

I have no plans at present to amend the relevant legislation.

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