COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 08, 2018

QUESTION NO. 7

QUESTION: Councillor P. Kearns

"To ask the Chief Executive to ensure that dogs that should be wearing muzzles are doing so particularly in our county parks?"

REPLY:

"The primary legislation pertaining to dogs is the Control of Dogs Act 1986. It is a legal requirement under the Control of Dogs Act 1986 that a dog must be under effectual control at all times when outside of the premises of the owner/person in charge of the dog.

The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 set out specific rules for certain breeds of dogs. In this regard, the following breed of dogs must be muzzled at all times when out in public:

American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, English Bull Terrier, German Shepherd, Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and any cross breed of the aforementioned.

These regulations also provide that any of the aforementioned breeds must be led by a person over the age of 16 and kept on a strong short chain or lead not longer than 2 metres in length and wear a collar bearing the name and address of their owner at all times.

It is not a legal requirement to muzzle any other breed of dog.

Any person who is found to be in charge of a dog that is not under effectual control is liable for a fine in the sum of €100. Failure to pay the fine can result in prosecution with a maximum fine of €2500 and /or up to 3 month imprisonment if convicted.

Section 4.1 of the South Dublin County Council's Parks and Open Spaces Bye Laws provide as follows in relation to Dogs:

 4.1       Dogs:-

 4.1.1    No person: 

a) Shall take into or allow to remain in a Park any dog unless it is under effective control on a leash other than in areas designated (dog runs) or at times specified by the County Council. 

b) In charge of a dog in a Park shall engage it in coursing or permit it to be engaged in coursing in a Park. 

4.1.2    Persons in charge of a dog in a park shall 

a) Take reasonable care to prevent it from causing annoyance to any person using the Park or worrying, chasing, injuring or disturbing any animals, birds or other creatures in the Park. 

b) Be liable for any damage or injury which may be caused by the dog. 

c) Remove it from the Park if so directed by an Employee of the Council or an Authorised Person.

The Council operates under an approved Work Force Plan staff compliment, and currently there is an approved number of Park Rangers (14).

Because of the large size of many of our parks and open spaces it is not always possible for personnel to be at that particular location as an incident arises. To ensure that our parks and open spaces (as provided as public amenities) are used by members of the public to the maximum extent in safety and comfort, we are committed to activation of a promotion campaign to provisions of the Bye Laws in relation to dogs."