John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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300. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she plans to impose a ban on dangerous American XL bully dogs in Ireland; the steps she has taken to ensure that owners of dogs requiring muzzles are complying with the law; and the way the public can hope to feel safe in public from dangerous breeds of dog which are described as same by the law. [45669/23]

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. Furthermore, 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.