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“IT’S NOT YOUR dog’s fault, it’s yours,” is the name of the latest State campaign to encourage dog owners to increase their efforts to keep their pets under control.
The campaign was announced this morning by the Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys after her Department increased supports for dog pounds, higher fines for poor dog control last year.
The measures for dog owners to have better control over their canines comes as attacks, particularly on young children, are on the rise according to the Department.
An investigation by Noteworthy in December last year also found that dog bite reports have been increasing over the last number of years in Ireland, which has left victims without hope over the relaxed laws which are in place.
Humphreys, announcing the scheme today, reminded the public that it’s a privilege to be a dog owner and that controlling their dogs is important for the safety of others, no matter the size of the animal.
The new campaign comes as on-the-spot fines of €300 for dog owners found to be poorly controlling their dogs were increased last year.
With the risk that more pooches will end up being seized, the minister has also granted a €2 million funding package for dog pounds last November.
In December last year, over 160 dogs were seized in Dublin City alone as the local authority also took measures to increase dog enforcement in the Dublin districts.
Today, the minister is extending this call to the country, as on-the-loose dogs pose a threat to people, livestock and other dogs.
“I want this campaign to make people think twice about letting their dog loose and uncontrolled,” Humphries said today.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue welcomed the measures and acknowledged the trauma that dog attacks can have on people who have been the victims of one.
“I believe it is essential we have conversations about responsible dog ownership and illustrating the dangers of marauding dogs, protecting people and animals from dog attacks,” McConalogue said.
The minister has also established of a dedicated stakeholder group. The Dog Control Stakeholder Group is independently chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey.
The group has been tasked with reviewing existing policy in relation to dog control and breeding restrictions.
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Dogs should be kept under control at all times. They can be dangerous and many people find dogs no matter how big or small intimidating. Letting dogs run free on beaches can be a big a nuisance. Many a nice walk on a beach is ruined by literally more dogs than humans bounding around.
If a dog is not on private property, it should be on a lead held by someone capable of controlling it. Simple.
@Seanfhear míshásta: Many dogs need far more exercise than they can get on a lead (people can’t run fast enough or for long enough) or in most gardens.
Responsible owners find places to do this where people don’t tend to go (and train their dogs to come when called), but that can be difficult in cities.
@Steve O’Hara-Smith: That is not an excuse. Most dog owners interpretation of ‘trained’ is shouting “he won’t hurt you” as you hold your own dog above your head to protect it. Spare me!
@Seanfhear míshásta: It’s not an excuse it’s a fact.
The onus is on the owners of such dogs to train them to come to a call and to find suitable places to exercise them appropriately, anything less is animal cruelty.
I agree shouting “he won’t hurt you” is not even remotely good enough.
No bad dogs just bad owners.
@Roy Dowling: very true
@Roy Dowling: yes and a lot of kids are worse than dogs
@Roy Dowling: When is the government going to fund a multi-year campaign…? “Take responsibility for your child, it’s yours!”
I see many allowing children to walk dogs with no adult supervision, this should not be allowed, and dogs should be trained before allowed off leash. Bad owners not bad dogs.
@colette byrne: Have to agree, a child shouldn’t be responsible for an untrained dog. There should be incentives in place for dog training. Maybe reduce the licence fee for responsible owners who are learning how to train their dog in the basics. Instead of fining people, help them get to know their dog better, learn how to recall their dog so it’s under control regardless of leashes or who’s looking after the dog that day.
@F Fitzgerald: The licence fee is €20 per year not much room for incentive there.
@F Fitzgerald: yes training should be free, it’s in everyone’s interest to have well trained dogs.
It might reduce the amount in animal shelters, maybe fund animal centres to train dogs, free to the owner, it would also raise awareness.
@colette byrne: Brilliant suggestion – that’s something our government could organise. Only fair to show dogs what’s expected of them, instead of fining owners afterwards!
“The more I see of people, the more I love my dog”
Dogs are wonderful companions, loyal, cheerful fun and a great encouragement to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. I would recommend owning a dog to anyone who can. There are so many that need rescuing and finding a forever home
Of course they are a big responsibility and should never be allowed to bother other people. What happens to the dogs that the Councils sieze?
This is it. I can’t see why our Government is encouraging puppy farms and over-breeding to excess for profit.
There’s a certificate people train for in America – Canine Good Citizen. It’s a sound scheme. We should adopt something similar here.
https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/tips-training-your-dog-become-canine-good-citizen
First things first – shut down the existing puppy farms and make it unprofitable to run one.
Anyone selling a dog should be suspected of running one.
Why not ban selling dogs altogether?
Skuz bag dog owners letting the dog crap everywhere without picking up, most dog owners are guilty of this, it’s not just the minority
According to a report over 10,000 people are killed by dogs in India each year
I object to having to put up with other people’s stupid obsessions.
@Padraig O’Brien: is it particularly bad in the part of India you live?
@Padraig O’Brien: they eat dogs in India. India also has over 60 million stray dogs. Somehow not feeling all that bad for the people. If the dogs were treated correctly and adopted and neutered, so the population control couldn’t get so bad, those numbers would be quartered. Starving, stray dogs with diseases are not expected to behave correctly. Your point is literally
@HAC: I don’t know why my full comment didn’t show up. Your point is pointless. Dogs are amazing, intelligent companions and I’m glad you don’t have one as you don’t deserve one. If trained correctly and loved they will attack someone unless provoked.
@HAC: they will NOT attack unless provoked. Journal whatever your comments section is doing, please fix it!
Why do some dog owners, when their dog sh-1-ts outside somewhere go to the trouble of picking it up in a little poo-bag……..
and then hang it from a tree.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: I don’t know how they forget about the bags. I mean, great they’re not left on the ground for anyone to step in, but if you bag a poo, it’s just as easy to hook it onto a forked stick and carry it to a bin. Plenty of sticks lying around for free.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: I understand that it is their private campaign to advertise that there are not enough trash bins available to dispose of waste. Though I do not agree with this campaign, it is very true… In Ireland there are very few trash bins. And as a result, the average Irish person will drop their rubbish on the ground… While being defensive over their actions. I guess this is why Ireland, a country of vast beautiful lands and sceneries, is also home to some of the dirtiest and filthiest cities and towns.
Our dog laws are so badly out of date.
A law graduate I know well said
“Only an eejit in Ireland would get a dog licence, there is no enforcement!”
As a dog person with my 12th ( licenced) dog, I was annoyed.
Heck!
I lived in Germany for 11 years, the dog licence was 100E, and I was obliged to sent a death cert to the office when my Irish dog Marco died.
We need dog wardens now, not just optimistic ‘mind you dog!’ notices.
We need Wardens with authority to give on-the-spot fines,
Wardens who can walk in pairs and take no nonsense.
Every dog should me microchipped. Now.
Having a dog is a privilege, not a silly careless ‘right’
And dog breeders should be licenced, inspected, – and closed – as necessary.
stop the carelessness, it helps nobody, certainly not the dogs…
A Ruufff situation!
Perfected in the 1980s
@Raymond Dennehy: So bonzo’s owner letting him out for a pony and trap before bed ? No plastic bags to pick it up then but used to be rock solid and white back then.
A man walks into a talent agency and says that he has a unique act, a talking dog
So you’re a ventriloquist then?
No my dog really does talk
Fido, what grows on the outside of trees?
Bark, bark!
And how does it feel?
Rough,rough.
Sorry, I’ll get my coat.
Dirty dogs doing their shittingand pissing everyday everywhere, not nice.
have your say