Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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487. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the current breed specific regulations under the Control of Dogs Act 1998 are not having an adverse impact on the welfare of the dogs of these breeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16148/14]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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488. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views that the current breed specific regulations under the Control of Dogs Act 1998 contravenes section 7 of the OIE, International Office of Epizootics, World Organisation for Animal Health, animal welfare standards, terrestrial animal code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16149/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together.

The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides for the welfare of animals. Section 11 requires that a person who has possession of an animal safeguards its welfare. It also requires that an animal’s owner ensures that their animal is kept in a manner that does not threaten the health or welfare of another animal.

The requirement to keep certain dogs in public places muzzled and on a leash are set out in S.I. No. 442/1998 - Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998, which was made under The Control Of Dogs Act, 1986 (No. 32 of 1986) and The Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act, 1992 (No. 13 of 1992). Accordingly, this is a matter for my colleague the Minister of Environment, Community & Local Government.