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LAST UPDATE | 28 Mar 2023
AGRICULTURE MINISTER CHARLIE McConalogue has said that dog owners who breach laws concerning control of their pet should be treated like “social pariahs”.
He was speaking after Cabinet approved a memo proposing that fines for such a breach be doubled to €5,000.
Currently, under the Control of Dogs Act, an owner can be fined €2,500.
In addition, the review carried out by an interdepartmental working group finds that 40 new dog wardens should be hired.
McConalogue brought a memo to Cabinet today outlining the progress on the report on the control of dogs.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One this afternoon, McConalogue said addressing the issue of dangerous dogs required a “two-pronged approach” of strengthening laws and ensuring those laws are enforced.
One such law is a requirement that certain breeds, such as alsatians and rottweilers, have to be muzzled and kept on a leash in public. McConalogue said.
He said that “too often at the moment” those laws are not being enforced.
“We need to make sure that where people don’t take responsible approaches to managing their dogs, that that type of activity and people that do that, are seen as social pariahs.”
One of the report’s 15 recommendations is a review of the list of breeds which must be muzzled in public.
Last year, McConalogue was tasked by the Tánaiste (then Taoiseach) Micheál Martin to carry out a review of legislation across government after a young boy was violently assaulted by a pit bull terrier in Co Wexford.
Also around that time, multiple dog attacks on sheep were being reported.
In November, Alejandro Mizsan was playing near his home in Enniscorthy when he was attacked by a pit bull cross and left with life-changing injuries.
At the time, Martin said we need to “go back to the drawing board” on how to deal with regulation of dogs, stating that what had happened was “one time too many”.
McConalogue, along with Minister for Rural Affairs Heather Humphreys, established an interdepartmental working group which continues to examine issues such as fines for dog owners found in breach of the Control of Dogs Act, enforcement at local level, microchipping, licences, breeding establishments and the sale of dogs.
The group’s interim report also recommended the recruitment of 40 additional dog wardens nationwide.
McConalogue said today that “we have seen, over the last number of years, really good progress made in relation to the microchipping of dogs, also to the control of breeding establishments.”
The group recommended that regulation around breeding, sale and supply of dogs should be strengthened further by creating a centralised national database for dog breeding establishments.
The group will complete its report by summer.
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What is increasing fines going to solve if there’s nobody to enforce them??
Always the same story…..
@Dearbhla O Reilly: Hence the “two pronged approach” mentioned above.
Go to any beach or park in this country and you will see that 99% of dog owners feel that this law doesn’t apply to them. This won’t change until there is enforcement. Mary and Joe public have the blinkers on when it comes to their own fur baby and are apparently incapable of seeing their dog as potentially a threat to humans or other animals (despite all the evidence to the contrary)
@Atlas Collapsed: yaaaaawn
@Atlas Collapsed: anyone referring to a dog as a fur baby should also be fined
@Atlas Collapsed: I went into town on Saturday and as i was driving up towards the town Centre, i saw a man standing there patiently as his mutt squatted down to do his business on the path right outside someones door. Those little terraced houses usually have elderly people living in them. Not that that is relevant, but how disgusting and how disrespectful.
What’s the point in doubling the fine if the rules that are there are never used. I have never seen a dog with a muzzle on.
@johnabc: I see them all the time. However I also see that most dogs that should be muzzled are not.
There is no enforcement, never has been. Any dog wardens appointed will be employed by County councils, which means that they will spend all their time writing reports or doing training days.
The normal way to walk a dog nowadays is to walk ahead of the animal while staring at a phone, while the animal 5hits everywhere and generally runs riot behind them.
@John Mulligan: Spot on. Well said.
Ban the most dangerous breeds. Ie pit bull type dogs. Fines are useless. Just take the dogs from these people who have them and instead of fine give a two year sentence. The damage the dogs do is horrific. Look at that poor boy from the east coast. Can anyone justify having one of these dogs after looking at the injuries in flicked on the poor lad. Just saw a video yesterday of one of these dogs attacking a police horse while the owner didn’t seem to give a toss. Is it a status symbol to own one of these dogs to make you a hard man. And before anyone starts I really don’t care with the comment about how these dogs are reared. All dogs have the potential to bite but nothing compared to the severity of an attack by dangerous breeds. Total ban and defo a two year sentence.
@Dave Barrett: is it a status symbol for you to spew your malarkey on here as if your opinion matters?
@Karl Phelan: Glad to see that you know its an opinion and not fact.
@Dave Barrett: My guess is that they have a cash-only business in whatever illegal items are in demand. So instead of guns & knives they buy a tough-looking dog as security. That’s only my theory. It shows no regard for the dog.
@Fiona Fitzgerald: And not a bad theory at that.
A man that can’t control his dog can’t control himself
@GreenFlag: by any chance are your dogs constantly out of control? Woth the comments you have been putting up for the last couple of days, including your gems of wisdom about women in the taliban article it is quiet obvious yo do not know when to draw the line, and therefore not in control of yourself!
Walk the Palace Grounds in Tuam any time and dogs of all sizes galloping around uncontrolled. The Irish authorities simply don’t enforce these laws and never will.
@der Fussballmeister: I love seeing dogs playing and ideally we could have dog parks where people can enjoy letting a dog off to have a run.
The dogs on the street are laughing at this Cabinet.
In almost half a century on this planet I’ve never seen a dog warden. I saw a leprechaun once.
@Fuji Hakayito: They tend to patrol our local park but very sporadically.
They don’t necessarily wear uniforms so you may not notice them.
They appear in the summer over a period of days then nothing.
I guess they are trying to educate dog owners and checking for dog licences.
It’s understandable that we rarely come across them considering how few of them there are.
There should be a complete abolition of Fines, except in Corporate cases. One half isn’t bothered by them and the other half don’t pay them, probably can’t. Just wait to be picked up for the day trip to the nearest College of Criminal Excellence, free meal and bus ticket home. All non custodial sentences should be worked off in public work, monitored on i-phone.
As for dogs and indeed ponies, the tagging and licencing databases aren’t even linked.!!! Laziness and incompetence in the extreme. Every dog or pony found without a valid chip / licence, should be humanely put down. Getting this sorted, would soon sort the bulk of the problem, with every warden having a GSM linked, hand held reader, or rather an App on their phone. We would soon know which breeds or indeed families of such, were causing a problem.
@Nicholas Grubb: should you be humanely put down if you don’t have your microchip installed? How about if we can’t locate your birth cert?
@Nicholas Grubb: Humanely put down, Jesus wept! It’s not the animals fault it has a poor owner. Enforcement and education is the answer not inhuman tactics.
@Karl Phelan: You’re replying to an animal advocate extremist. A grace period before implementation would sort it. The actions of an irresponsible minority are greatly diminishing the quality of life for rest, who need to be let run off the leash when appropriate. Begs the question. Do we want to subsidise the running of a few sheep on the hills, or would we prefer that the sub went, to landowners who declare their lands “open”.
@Nicholas Grubb: extremist for sure. You must be a member of PETA. If this is you advocating I’d hate to see what you’d do if you were a critic of animals
All dogs , should be banned from parks and beaches .
@FixoUZLA: luckily this stupid suggestion won’t be taken seriously. Banned? Im almost afraid to ask where you suggest dogs be walked! Or do you want them all pts! Stay at home maybe so you don’t risk meeting any.
Agree Dave, ban pit bulls and other breeds closely related to them. They’re responsible for nearly all serious or deadly attacks on kids. It’s so obvious and who cares about people that want one. Get another damn dog. If one of them harms my kid their owner would pay through unofficial means.
I agree with people saying all dogs should be banned from beaches and if you go the park with your dog have it on a lead don’t let it run around at free will my pitbull is on his lead at all times and ban people from having powerful dogs that get walked by their dogs instead of them walking the dog.
It can be quite difficult to enjoy a day in the park when dogs are running around without leashes. Unfortunately, some dog owners can be quite arrogant when approached about this issue. For instance, I once asked a Pitbull owner to leash their dog after it got too close to some children, but was met with a reply that suggested the dog had the right to be free and they would never comply.
Muzzle compulsory except in designed area
I know plenty of humans who should have mussels on, I will never put a mussel on my dogs. Proper discipline and training is what is required for any dog.
@ggg: but have you thought of trying coc kles on them?
How about mandatory training and periodic recertification to be eligible for dog ownership?
Combine that with genuine enforcement, as well as the penalties for when the dog actually attacks and injures someone being jail time for the owner, rather than fines, and we’re in business.
Much more efficient than a muzzle mandate. The threat of jail time might get some people to reconsider dog ownership, and some owners to consider still using a muzzle, but in the long term, many will either invest more work in training their dog, to the point where they’re well behaved with strangers, and the muzzle won’t be necessary.
@Finn H. Schoyen: That sounds a much better proposal. It’s weird how Ireland hasn’t got some affordable certificate process like the CGC.
https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/behavior/canine-good-citizen-test
@Finn H. Schoyen: that’s exactly what they are pushing for.. Another money making racket under the guide of something else…
Muzzle their holes stop them crapping all over the place
The laws we have are out dated and need to be changed.
Pitbulls get demonized over a few stupid people who don’t care what their dogs do I have a 9 year old American pitbull terrier he hasn’t harmed nobody or another dog I have 3 kids that he hasn’t harmed or shows no malicious behavior I agree all dogs can attack ban German shepherds too then I have a neighbor his German shepherd hangs over my wall growling and barking at my 2 year old everyday my pitbull will protect my child you can tell most of these people don’t own a pitbull and stop saying pitbull type dog rottweilers are not pitbulls either are XL bullies XLS are mongrels mixed breeds and some people fight these dogs especially in country area’s. Some of the people in these comments need a muzzle on them I have my dog licensed and chipped he doesn’t wonder around the streets like some people’s dogs.
Firstly as a dog owner and lover. On the face of it this sounds great. But who or what will enforce it.. Secondly I must say we have to get priorities right. We have thugs walking our streets supposed to be representing various anti immigrant members of the public. Entitled to protest. But they are not entitled to stop me going about my daily business. Whether that be work or pleasure. Again Not entitled. But they get away with it. Criminals walk the stretts because our justice system is a joke. And no consequences from some judges who are anti woman and in general don’t give a shit. So priorities please. But that’s too hard to fix. Easier fine people for not looking after there dogs. Mmmm bit all over the place. But nobody wants a election. I worry about our country.
@John Flanagan: what does that mean? that dog can do whatever since there are people protesting?
if the law say muzzle and leash you have to use them. as simple as thhat
Pitbull owner and lover here. Most attacks by statistic are not by these breeds. Nor is a pitbull cross a pitbull. Well bred pitbulls are very stable, noble dogs. They are not dangerous unless put in a bad situation. I have been bitten by 2 dogs in the family over the years – one a dachshund, one a chihuahua.
Most real working dogs are very stable hence unlikely to attack on fear etc.
Also, in Ireland an actual American pitbull terrier is exceptionally rare. Don’t think I’ve seen any in the last few years.
@Ihsan Penny: Any dog can bite but bites don’t make the news. Pit Bulls kill and do terrible damage when they attack which is why it’s always Pit Bulls or PB crosses that make the headlines. I love dogs and used to believe the line that there are no bad dogs just bad owners but there are only so many times you can scroll down through an article and see the word Pit Bull before you realise that it’s just not true. Pit Bulls should be banned outright.
Muzzle or muzzle, pick which type you want
@Sean Whelan: what you do in the bedroom is your business buddy
And how do they determine whether the dogs “under control”
@Stoic Savage: The Control of Dogs Act 1986, Section 9 most likely.
@Stoic Savage: muzzle and leash. easy
Everyone calls for guns to be banned in America due to the dangers.
But when a child gets badly hurt people that own dogs won’t accept an outright ban of these breeds- even though there is a ban in the UK.
Selfish.
Demonizing breeds does nothing to keep the public safe. Training, of both owner and dog, is the only way to ensure safety.
Ban all pit bull related breeds, plain and simple. Thugs who can’t control their dogs love this type of breed because it looks dangerous.
Just ban them.
Plenty of other nicer breeds.
Demonizing breeds does nothing to keep the public safe. Training, of both owner and dog is the only way to ensure safety.
@Jane Alford: wishful thinking
“treat people as social pariah” more and more we are allowing these government figures to turn us against each other and we are also starting to sound like a dictatorship
@ Lisa Jones . Dogs and their owners , eh ?
Another report where nothing will be done. It will collect dust as the wardens required to enforce law will not be employed….dog owners who will not control their dogs should be sent to prison.
40 extra wardens equates to 1.5 per county.
Agree. Save the dogs. Euthanise the irresponsible owners.
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