Senator calls for tougher sanctions for breaches of Control of Dogs Act
Senator Aidan Davitt has called for tougher sanctions for those who are found in breach of the Control of Dogs Act.
The Longford-Westmeath Senator was commenting after the horrific mauling of Alejandro Miszan in Wexford.
Senator Davitt said: "Dog attacks are becoming all too common across the country, and it's mainly young children who are seriously injured. According to Dogs Trust there were 320 people hospitalised due to dog bites in 2020.
"We need to strengthen the Control of Dogs Act to ensure tougher penalties for those found in breach and take a real no tolerance approach to this.
"There is a list of ten restricted dog breeds. Owners are responsible for their dogs and control of their dogs. The legislation stipulates a maximum fine of €2,500, which is at the strongest end of the punishments in this case.
"It is a common sight to see the breeds on the proscribed list of dogs not muzzled in public. One can see them anywhere in Ireland when one walks through a park. The owners should know better and realise that their dogs should be always muzzled when in public. As laid out in the law these animals are meant to be muzzled, be on a short lead, and the person in charge of them must be over 16 years of age."
Included on the list of proscribed dogs are the: American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, English Bull Terrier, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
The Longford Westmeath Senator added: "I'm calling for the Control of Dogs Act to be strengthened to ensure we decrease these kinds of horrific attacks.
"We must ensure that the owners who break the law should have the full rigor of the law brought to bear on them and I would go as far as to say that should be up to and including jail terms.
"It is unacceptable to have these animals loose and running around, particularly in parks where there are likely to be children. I firmly believe that anyone who thinks they can do so should face a jail term."