A public consultation on the control of dogs in Ireland was launched by Minister Sean Canney on Monday this week.

"Many people own dogs in Ireland and we want to ensure that these dogs are treated properly," the Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development said.

Dog control legislation has been in place for a number of years and there is a view that changes are required, he added.

One of the suggested areas for change is the list of breeds for which specific controls have been in place since 1998.

Approach

“I want to ensure that an approach is in place that places priority on the protection and safety of the public.

"I also believe it is essential to have a formal public consultation, to ensure these decisions are made in an open and inclusive way.

"I have therefore decided to have a public consultation process which will commence today and will close on 6 September 2019.”

Document

The consultation document poses a series of 10 questions.

Interested parties are invited to make written submissions or comments on the questions asked, and to send them by email to dogsconsultation@drcd.gov.ie by 5.30pm on 6 September 2019.

People may also post their submission to the Dog Control Unit, Department of Rural and Community Development, Government Buildings, Ballina, Co Mayo, F26 E8N6.

The number of dog attacks on sheep could be in the region of 300 to 400 a year, according to the IFA.

Data collected by the organisation indicates that on average 11 sheep are killed or injured per attack.

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