Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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701. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is considering expanding the list of breeds on which additional rules for ownership are imposed under the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22622/21]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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702. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is considering a review of the list of dog breeds that require additional ownership measures in view of the increase in dog purchases during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22623/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 701 and 702 together.

The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014 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 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.

Concerns have been raised regarding the overall approach to the regulation of restricted breeds. There is also the view that some additional breeds may warrant inclusion on the list of restricted breeds. My Department is considering these and other points as part of a review of the legislation in this area and is now identifying any necessary legislative amendments that may be required with a view to inclusion in the Government’s legislative programme.