Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

976. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the impact the Control of Dogs Act 1998 Regulations are having on animal welfare, with a number of pounds reportedly not allowing the rehoming of dogs perceived as one of the breeds listed; his views on local authority housing not allowing tenants with dogs perceived as being one of the breeds; if he will address each of these points individually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20747/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The rehoming policy in respect of dogs in local authority shelters for dogs seized, accepted or detained for the purposes of the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2010 is a matter for each local authority and I have no function in the matter.

Under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and control of local authority dwellings is vested in individual housing authorities, subject to the provisions of sections 58 and Regulations made under that enactment. Standard conditions have been prescribed for local authority letting agreements, including a condition:

- in urban authority letting agreements that, except with the consent of the authority, the tenant will not keep on the premises domestic pets likely to create a nuisance or become a source of annoyance; and

- in county council letting agreements that the tenant will not keep such pets on the premises, if required to refrain from so doing by the authority.

It is a matter for individual housing authorities to determine if additional conditions are required in their letting agreements in respect of particular classes of pets.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

977. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that a review of the Control of Dogs Act 1998 Regulations has been conducted by the President of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association, which has referred to our current regulations as being archaic and has highlighted that it is scientifically impossible for local authorities to accurately identify a dog breed or mix or whether a dog contains a strain of one of the listed breeds without conducting a full genetic profile on each dog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20748/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the views referred to, and refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 542, 543 and 559 of 6 May 2015 which set out the position in relation to the onus on dog owners and those in control of dogs to act responsibly by keeping their dogs under effectual control, irrespective of breed and in relation to review of the relevant legislation.

I am satisfied that these specific control requirements for the listed breeds are a balanced and workable arrangement which recognises the rights of dog owners, respects animal welfare to the extent possible, while also taking account of the needs of society to be protected from dogs with a significant capability to inflict very serious injury, or cause death.