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Press Release
Environment
23 April 2024
Your dog is your responsibility
Dogs can be wonderful companions, bringing happiness to people’s lives.Being a dog owner is a privilege, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities.Sometimes even the best-behaved dogs can attack or bite.Dog owners are responsible for keeping their dogs under control. If your dog injures people or animals, or damages property, you are legally responsible.
Your dog is your responsibility.
Whatever they do, it’s not your dog’s fault.
It’s yours.
If you keep a dog, you must follow these requirements.
The Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013:
- you must provide appropriate care for your dog
The Microchipping of Dogs Regulations, 2015:
- ensure your dog is microchipped and registered on an approved database
- have a valid Certificate of Registration from the database operator
- ensure you keep owner and dog details up to date on the database
- ensure you have an annual or lifetime dog licence
- you must have a collar or harness on your dog with your contact details attached
- keep your dog under effectual control
The Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998:
- 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)
- When in a public place, these dogs must be securely muzzled and kept on a strong chain or leash (maximum 2 metres in length) by a person over 16 years of age who is capable of controlling the dog.
The Litter Pollution Act, 1997:
- you must pick up and bin dog poo when in public places
- this requirement does not apply to guide dogs
- remember: Any bag, Any bin!
Further information can be found at the attached links:
How to be a responsible dog owner
