Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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2193. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the level of compliance with dog control legislation is very low; his plans to address the non-compliance in view of the fact that it covers the rules relating to certain breeds of dangerous dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27383/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The overall thrust of dog control legislation is to place the onus for compliance on dog owners and those in control of dogs to act responsively 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.

It is important to note that the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2010 set out a range of requirements that apply to 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 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.