Fines for irresponsible dog owners should be doubled to €5,000, according to a new proposal to ensure better control of animals.
The proposal was outlined in a report brought to Cabinet this week by Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue, who was tasked with tackling the issue of dog attacks on people and livestock after several such high-profile cases in recent months.
As a result, an interdepartmental group was established to examine measures that could be taken, including increased fines, microchipping, dog sales, and more.
Last December a pitbull terrier viciously mauled a 9-year-old boy in Wexford, in an attack that the family said “nearly killed” the child and left them “devastated.”
“The pitbull destroyed him. He will never be the same again. His face is in bits. It’s just terrible." https://t.co/qv73uPS4Ye
— Irish Daily Mirror (@IrishMirror) November 29, 2022
Additionally, earlier this year in Blarney, Co. Cork, a lamb was beheaded, while several others were “torn to bits” by a dog, leaving the owners highly upset and distressed.
The Irish Farmer’s Association has called for tighter controls on dogs, after a lamb was beheaded and several others “torn to bits” in Cork.#gript https://t.co/4zA0aFkJRx
— gript (@griptmedia) March 7, 2023
Under the newly-proposed plans, an additional 40 dog wardens are to be recruited nationwide. In addition, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has indicated that he would support adding more breeds to the list of officially restricted dogs in Ireland.
Other measures proposed include creating a centralised database of dog microchips, better licensing and more.
The group’s final report is set to be completed by the summer, and will also including better regulation of dog breeding and dog tracing.
Back in 2021, the IFA launched the “No Dogs Allowed” campaign to address this issue. However, in February of this year, IFA President Tim Cullinane claimed that the government had not acted to deal with the problem.
“Unfortunately, the situation has worsened over the last two years, with sheep farmers dreading the prospect of a call to say there has been an attack on their flock,” he said, adding that those who have a dog as part of their family must “accept the responsibilities that go with ownership.”
“The level of sanctions that can be applied do not reflect the savagery and trauma these uncontrolled dogs are causing,” he added.
“The absence of a centralised database to identify ownership and those responsible for the dogs, and the lack of enforcement of microchipping, are all contributing to this persistent and escalating problem.”