Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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527. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to the conditions at a pound (details supplied) which is the subject of a social media video displaying appalling living conditions for animals; and if his Department will correspond with local government authorities and animal welfare inspectors to ensure a full inspection is carried out. [8746/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have responsibility for operating and managing dog control and licensing services in their administrative areas, including the management of dog pounds and shelters and my Department has no involvement in this process.

Furthermore, the enforcement of welfare standards regarding all animals, including dogs seized, accepted or detained under the Control of Dogs Acts, is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. My Department has no function in this regard.

However, on foot of the Deputy's question, enquiries have been made by my Department with the relevant local authorities, all of which have indicated that the enterprise referenced is maintained to a high standard and has passed all recent unannounced veterinary inspections.