John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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194. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will withdraw the list of dangerous dog breeds and the regulations governing such breeds and instead legislate or regulate dog owners generally, making education, obligations and responsibility the central theme, as done in other EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15084/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The overall thrust of 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, irrespective of breed. 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.

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.

I am satisfied that the restrictions under the current legislative framework are fit for purpose and there are currently no plans to review the legislation.