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Minister Humphreys launches major national awareness campaign aimed at Dog Owners

  • awareness campaign to highlight the responsibility of dog owners
  • campaign to address issue of attacks on humans and livestock
  • latest in a series of measures to improve dog control and welfare

Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys today (22 April 2024) launched a major national awareness campaign to remind dog owners of their responsibilities.

The campaign entitled – ‘It’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours’ - is aimed at increasing awareness of the harm that out of control dogs can do to people and to livestock.

The goal is to change behaviour and to remind owners that they must always have their dog under control.

Launching the campaign, Minister Humphreys said:

“Being a dog owner is a privilege, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities.

“We have seen far too many devastating attacks by dogs on people, especially young children, in recent times.

“I know the majority of dog owners are responsible and do the right thing. But we can all be guilty of thinking our dog wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“No matter how harmless a dog might seem they can be capable of causing a lot of damage. Ultimately, as the campaign says: it’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours.

“Dog owners must make sure their dog is under control at all times, not running wild endangering people, livestock or other dogs.

“I want this campaign to make people think twice about letting their dog loose and uncontrolled.”

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue welcomed the campaign, sharing his hope that it will encourage wider conversations on dog owner responsibilities:

“I really welcome this campaign. I know how traumatic dog attacks can be to people, especially children. I am also acutely aware of the devastation done to livestock by marauding dogs, causing terrible suffering to the animals and both emotional and financial distress to farming families.

“I believe it is essential we have conversations about responsible dog ownership and illustrating the dangers of marauding dogs, protecting people and animals from dog attacks.

“Dogs are a great addition to a home and a family, but owners must provide for their welfare and wellbeing, taking their responsibilities seriously. Dog owners should ensure their dog has regular visits to the vet, good nutritious food and water, exercise and mental stimulation.

“I would like to encourage the many excellent charities working in the area of animal welfare, supported by my department through the Animal Welfare Grants Programme, to leverage this campaign to share their own messages on responsible dog ownership.”

This campaign follows closely from a series of related initiatives:

  • increases in on-the-spot fines up to €300
  • additional €2 million to support dog pounds
  • the establishment of the Dog Control Stakeholder Group

The Stakeholder Group was established by Minister Humphreys in March of this year and is independently chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner Mr John Twomey.

The Group includes a broad range of sectoral interests and experts and been tasked with reviewing existing policy in relation to dog control and breeding establishments.

Welcoming the campaign John Twomey said:

“The campaign being launched today is an important step and just the beginning of a number of measures we need to introduce to reduce attacks by uncontrolled dogs.

“The Independent Stakeholder Group that I chair has an ambitious work plan and I would like to thank them for their willingness to engage so fully with this important issue.

“I look forward to working with them to bring further recommendations to the government in due course.”

The media campaign will run from Monday 22 April until the end of May across radio, print, and online media.

Visit gov.ie/dogs to find out more.

Notes

Dog Control: Department of Rural and Community Development

The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) is responsible for policy and legislation regarding dog control and dog breeding establishments. Under the Control of Dogs Act 1986, Local Authorities have responsibility for all operational activities including enforcement matters. Local Authorities have the power to appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against owners. Each year the Department of Rural and Community Development publishes statistics on a range of dog-control related activities of local authorities.

Dog Control Stakeholder Group

Established by Minister Humphreys in March 2024, this group is independently chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner Mr John Twomey, and comprises a broad range of sectoral interests and experts. The group has been tasked with reviewing existing policy in relation to dog control and dog breeding establishments, with a view to making recommendations on how to improve outcomes.

Group members

  • Chair: Mr John Twomey
  • Department of Rural and Community Development
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
  • Department of Environment, Climate and Communications
  • An Garda Siochána
  • Association of Pet Dog Trainers Ireland
  • Blue Cross
  • County and City Management Association (CCMA)
  • Comhairle na Tuaithe
  • Dogs Trust
  • DSPCA
  • Hunting Association of Ireland
  • Irish Farmers' Association
  • Irish Kennel Club
  • Irish Veterinary Nursing Association
  • Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA)
  • Madra
  • National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC)
  • UCD School of Veterinary Medicine
  • Veterinary Ireland

Dog control legislation

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.

By law, if you own a dog, you must have a dog licence. You must have a collar or harness on your dog with your contact details attached. As it is a legal requirement that dogs are accompanied and kept under ‘effectual control’, it is recommended to keep your dog on a lead in public spaces. Local bye-laws on dog access may apply in specific areas such as beaches or public parks.

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. This is often referred to as the ‘Restricted Dogs List’.

Under the Control of Dogs Act, Local Authorities are responsible for the control of dogs. Each Authority must appoint a Dog Warden or Wardens who, under Section 28 of the Act, are responsible for enforcement of the Act's provisions.

The Department of Rural and Community Development 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.

Restricted dogs list

Under the ‘Restricted Dogs List’ as per The Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998; the additional controls apply to the following breeds and type of dog (or strains or crosses of these breeds or type of dogs):

  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • Bull Mastiff
  • Doberman Pinscher
  • English Bull Terrier
  • German Shepherd (Alsatian)
  • Japanese Akita
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback
  • Rottweiler
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • dog of type known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog)

Dog Control Support Initiative

In November 2023, Minister Humphreys announced €2 million in capital funding intended to provide once-off financial support towards local authority dog control facilities and vehicles to enable them to deliver services and ensure better outcomes for the dogs in their care, and ultimately for the communities they serve. Eligible costs include:

  • infrastructure – repairs, fit outs, minor works, upgrades, extensions
  • vehicles – purchase, upgrade, fit out, repair, EV chargers purchase and installation works. In line with public policy any vehicles purchased using funds from this initiative must be in line with commitments in Irelands Climate Action Plan
  • equipment – equipment that is necessary in order to deliver the dog control service in that area, including but not limited to electronic devices, and operational equipment such as cages, examination tables

Fines effective from 1 December 2023

Offence Relevant section New fine amount
Keeping or transferring possession of a dog contrary to section 2 of the Act Section 27(1)(a) €150
Dog not in effectual control Section 27(1)(b) contrary to Section 9(1) €300
Greyhound not properly controlled Section 27 (1) (b) contrary to Section 10 €250
Stray dog found and not dealt with in the correct manner Section 27 (1) (b) contrary to subsection (1) or (2) of Section 13 €150
No dog licence Section 27(1)(c) €150
Restricted dog not properly controlled Section 27 (1)(f) contrary to Article 5 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998 €300
No / incorrect collar / ID Section 27 (1)(f) contrary to Article 6 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998 €200

Working Group on Control of Dogs

Convened in early 2023, the Cross-Government Working Group on Control of Dogs published their report in March. It contained a number of wide-ranging recommendations to improve dog control in Ireland, including, inter alia, improvements to dog control infrastructure and equipment in local authority dog facilities. The report of the Working Group on the Control of Dogs is available.

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