Irish Examiner View: Stringent enforcement needed on new dog laws

The announcement of an increased number of dog wardens is significant as it is a tacit admission that people will not take responsibility for their dogs’ behaviour and that the area must therefore be policed. 

Readers will recall the terrible case in Wexford last year when a young boy was savaged by a pit bull terrier. That story served as a rallying call for reform of dog ownership laws, as did the shocking attacks on sheep near Blarney in January which were covered in depth by this paper.

Earlier this week Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue brought proposals to the Cabinet on this matter which look promising.