Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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761. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to deal with the recently reported rise in biting attacks by dangerous dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30169/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The overall thrust of the dog control legislation is to place the onus on dog owners and those in control of dogs to act responsibly by keeping their dogs under effectual control. Such responsible dog ownership is the key to reducing incidences of dog biting and other problem behaviours. The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2010 set out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. In particular, section 9 of the 1986 Act requires the owner or any other person in charge of a dog to accompany it and keep it under effectual control in any place other than the premises of the owner, the premises of the person in control of the dog, or other premises with the consent of the owner of the premises. Section 21 of the 1986 Act provides that the owner of a dog shall be liable in damages for damage caused in an attack on any person by the dog; it is not necessary for the person seeking damages to show a previous mischievous propensity in the dog, or the owner's knowledge of such previous propensity, or to show that such injury or damage was attributable to neglect on the part of the owner.

In addition to the foregoing, the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 (as amended) set out further requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs have to follow, namely that such dogs must be muzzled and led, on a sufficiently strong leash or chain not exceeding 2m in length by a competent person over 16 years of age when in a public place.

I am satisfied that the restrictions under the current legislative framework provide the necessary controls for the protection of society and I have no plans to amend the legislation in respect of these matters.