Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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392. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the negative international attention the current dog control measures which place restrictions on dog breeds, that is, the Control of Dogs Act 1998 regulations, has received; if he will perform a review of current regulations and seek the advice of experts in this field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13372/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the matter referred to in the Question. The Control of Dogs Acts 1986, 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 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 2 metres in length, by a competent person over 16 years of age when in a public place. The specific control requirements for these restricted 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.

The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 & 1992 and subsequent regulations also refer to the licencing and control of dogs. My Department has also progressed the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 which commenced on the 1 January 2012. This has put in place appropriate controls for the breeding of dogs.

In my previous role as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I announced legislation for compulsory micro-chipping of all dogs on 20 February 2015. The dog micro-chipping programme was rolled out on a phased basis, beginning with pups in September 2015 and was expanded to all dogs in March 2016.

I am satisfied that the restrictions under the current legislative framework provide the necessary controls for the protection of society and, therefore, I have no plans to amend the legislation in respect of these matters. I also understand that Veterinary Ireland is undertaking an in-depth policy review at present, which includes, inter alia, an examination of the effectiveness of the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998.