Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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65. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department would consider banning dangerous dog breeds, such as the American Bully XL; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41374/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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No breed of dog is currently 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. Furthermore, the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998, S.I. 442/1998 set out additional requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs, including strains or crosses of those breeds, must comply with. 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 that the approach should move away from muzzling.

My Department is committed to reviewing the current legislation on Dog Control and intends to engage fully with stakeholders throughout this process to consider the various issues arising in the months ahead.