Extra powers will protect farms and communities from dangerous dogs
Statistics collated by the Irish Farmers Association have indicated the number of sheep injured and killed by roaming dogs could be 3,000 to 4,000 a year.
A crackdown on marauding and dangerous dogs is imminent after the Government announced further funding for local authorities to support warden services from 2025.
The move follows increased calls for action after a series of shocking dog attacks on people and livestock across the State in recent years.
A four-month-old girl, Mia O’Connell, died from injuries in one such attack in Clashmore, Co Waterford, in 2021.
Earlier this year 23-year-old Nicole Morey suffered fatal injuries in another incident in Ballyneety, Co Limerick. In Kerry this week, a young girl was also badly injured in a suspected XL bully attack.
There have also been reports of people being injured in an increasing number of dog attacks at different locations countrywide.
A total of 3,158 emergency in-patient hospitalisations with dog bite-related injuries were recorded during a 10-year study period (2012-2021).
The joint study was conducted by the Department of Agriculture, the National Health Intelligence Unit and the University of Limerick.
Statistics collated by the Irish Farmers Association have also indicated the number of sheep injured and killed by roaming dogs could be 3,000 to 4,000 a year.
Earlier this year, Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys established a new stakeholder group on dog control headed by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey.
Last month, an allocation of €2m for local authorities to hire up to 40 new dog wardens and support services was announced.
New regulations will also prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL bullies from October 1.
And from February 1, 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL bully without a ‘certificate of exemption’ It is expected most of the new positions will come on stream next year. Recent statistics indicated there are 74 dog wardens employed in total across the local government sector.
A person guilty of an offence under legislation shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to €2,500, or to imprisonment of a term of up to three months, or both.
Any dog found straying, or abandoned, will be seized by a dog warden and may then be put down after five days if not claimed and any charges paid.
The funding recognises the increased demands around dog control and the need to ensure there are resources on the ground to enforce the pending ban on XL bully dogs.
Stressing public safety is the number one priority, Ms Humphreys said the funding would help each local authority to ensure they have the necessary number of dog wardens in place.
“The measures banning the import, sale and breeding of XL bullies will be in place very shortly. This funding will help ensure that these new measures are enforced on the ground.
“I have already trebled the fines for a range of offences. Whether it’s in our towns, villages or cities, there should be zero tolerance for people who do not keep their dogs under proper control in public spaces,” she said.
The move builds on previous funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development to improve local authority dog pound facilities.
Local Government Minister Daragh O’Brien said local authorities played a vital role in the enforcement of dog control laws. It is important each of them has the necessary resources.
“I fully recognise the additional demands in this area, and the need to ensure that there are sufficient services in place to meet these demands. This funding will help achieve that,” he said.
