Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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275. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are restrictions in place for pit bull terriers being required to wear muzzles when in public areas. [6135/18]

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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276. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are restrictions planned for pit bull terriers being required to wear muzzles when in public areas. [6136/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 together.

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. The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 set out further requirements that owners of 10 specific breeds of dogs, including the American Pit Bull Terrier, and every other strain or cross of these specific breeds, 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. 

These specific control requirements for restricted breeds provide 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.