Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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847. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her attention has been drawn to the recent introduction of the presa canario breed of dog into Ireland and that the breed is currently banned in the United Kingdom; the current status of this breed of dog in Ireland; if she is considering restrictions given recent incidents; and if she will provide an update on the matter. [6278/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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While I am aware that the presa canario breed of dog has been introduced into Ireland, the banning of any particular breed of dog in the United Kingdom is a matter for that jurisdiction.

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 such as the presa canario 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.