Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the controls that are currently in place in relation to keeping dangerous dog breeds; if she will outline the list of breeds that are currently banned; if she will be expanding this list; if she is satisfied with the enforcement of controls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62478/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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No breed of dog is banned in Ireland. However, the relevant legislation in this area, the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, sets out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998, S.I. 442/1998 set out further requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs, including strains or crosses of those breeds, have to follow. 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 had been raised regarding the overall approach to the regulation of restricted breeds. Some stakeholders asserted that more breeds should be added to the list – especially given the newer breeds that have arrived in Ireland over the last number of years. Others believed that a different approach should be taken which would focus on the behavioural issues of individual dogs, rather than specific breeds and should move away from muzzling.

Following a review of this policy area, including a public consultation process to which over 1,000 responses were received, my Department published on gov.ie the report on ‘A Review of Measures relating to the Control of Dogs in Ireland’.A selection of the submissions received were also published alongside the report.

As a result of this review and the ongoing legislative review, my Department is proposing to amend Statutory Instrument S.I. No. 442 /1998 - Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 to include the Presa Canario breed of dog. My Department is also proposing to introduce increased penalties for all offences under the Control of Dogs Acts. This will also include offences under Statutory Instrument S.I. No. 442/1998.

Furthermore, I understand that a cross-departmental review of the legislation relating to dogs is also about to commence, to be led by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The review will focus on strengthening current legislation, enforcement and policy.

My Department will continue to do its part, along with colleagues in the Local Authorities, the Local Authority Veterinary Service and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to consolidate efforts in this area and to promote the message of responsible dog ownership.