Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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170. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether electronic training collars should be banned for dogs, as is being discussed by the Advisory Council for Companion Animal Welfare; whether they can be used as part of the management of dogs to protect against attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3106/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, a person is prohibited from causing unnecessary pain or suffering or endangering the health and welfare of any animal. The Act also provides that a person having possession of an animal must ensure that the animal is kept in a manner that safeguards its health and welfare. All legislation under the remit of my Department is kept under constant review, including legislation to ensure the health and welfare of canines.

The use of remotely controlled electronic shock collars in dogs and cats has been banned in several European countries on the grounds of animal welfare.

The Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare, which I established under an independent chair as part of my Department's wider animal welfare strategy, advises me on such matters and are considering the question of whether the use of these devices on dogs and cats ought to be banned in Ireland and are inviting submissions from stakeholders on this question, by email, to animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie, before 16^thFebruary 2024. This is an extension of three weeks to the date originally stated.