Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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622. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the date on which the schedule of the restricted and specifically banned dog breeds was updated; if she has added the Presa Canario; if not, if she will outline the reason for same; if she has given consideration to adding and/or evaluating the need to add the American bully XL as a prescribed ban-dog to the schedule or restricted and or banned breeds; and if she will provide a schedule of the number of dogs that are exempt of The Control of Dogs Regulations, by breed and organisation that is responsible for the dogs. [41122/23]

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 have been raised regarding the overall approach to the regulation of restricted breeds. Some stakeholders assert 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 believe 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.

This list has not been updated in recent years. My Department is proposing to include the Presa Canario breed of dog in the list of restricted dogs, and may make other changes to the list if appropriate. This work will be done in the context of updates to the primary legislation in the months ahead and in consultation with stakeholders.

In relation to exemptions from the regulations, articles 5 and 6 of S.I. 442/1998 (Control of Dogs Regulations 1998) shall not apply to a dog which is:—(a) kept by the Garda Síochána or by the Defence Forces,(b) kept by the Dublin Port and Docks Board Harbour Police or by an Airport Police Fire Service at a State Airport,(c) kept by the Central Fisheries Board or a Regional Fisheries Board,(d) kept by the Customs and Excise service of the Revenue Commissioners,

and which is being used by a member, constable, officer or official of the said bodies in the execution of their respective duties, or,

(a) used by a bona fide rescue team for the purpose of searching for a missing person or being trained for such searching, or,(b) being trained by a bona fide training establishment for use by a person who is unable to find their way without guidance, or, having been so trained, is being used for the purpose of guidance by such a person.

A licence shall not be required in respect of a dog kept by:—(a) a member or officer of the Defence Forces, or(b) an official of the Customs and Excise service of the Revenue Commissioners, and used wholly in the execution of official duties.