Latest news with #ControlofDogsAct
Agriland
2 days ago
- Agriland
Explainer: What farmers need to know if a dog attacks their livestock
Dog worrying or attacks on livestock can have devastating impacts for farms. Farmers continue to call for improved legislation on dog control, with a dedicated stakeholder group to bring forward recommendations this year on policy and legislative change. It is important that farmers are aware of their current rights and responsibilities if such an event like a dog attack unfortunately does occur on their land. Farmers can legally shoot a dog that is worrying or attacking their livestock. The Control of Dogs Act, 1986 outlines: It shall be a defence to any action for damages against a person for the shooting of a dog, or to any charge arising out of the shooting of a dog, if the defendant proves that - (a) the dog was shot when it was worrying, or was about to worry, livestock and that there were no other reasonable means of ending or preventing the worrying; or (b) (i) the dog was a stray dog which was in the vicinity of a place where livestock had been injured or killed, and (ii) the defendant reasonably believed that the dog had been involved in the injury or killing, and (iii) there were no practicable means of seizing the dog or ascertaining to whom it belonged; and (c) he was the person in charge of the livestock; and (d) he notified, within 48 hours, the member in charge at the nearest garda station to the place where the dog was shot of the incident. The Control of Dogs Act 1986 outlines that the owner of a dog can be liable for damage caused to livestock. "The owner of a dog shall be liable in damages for damage caused in an attack on any person by the dog and for injury done by it to any livestock; and it shall not be necessary for the person seeking such damages to show a previous mischievous propensity in the dog, or the owner's knowledge of such previous propensity, or to show that such injury or damage was attributable to neglect on the part of the owner." The law also outlines that if a dog worries livestock, "the owner or any other person in charge of the dog shall be guilty of an offence". This is the case, unless it is established that "at the material time the dog worried the livestock for the purpose of removing trespassing livestock and that having regard to all the circumstances the action was reasonable and necessary". The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has a 10-point plan for farmers in place for a number of years, a protocol aimed at helping sheep farmers who encounter a dog attack on their flock. The IFA advises that if a farmer encounters a dog attack on sheep, the first priority must be to stop the attack immediately. The association urges farmers to notify gardaí if they have shot a dog. "It is important that the owner of the sheep would report the incident in full, make an official complaint and request that a full investigation is undertaken and report filed," the IFA said. "In addition, the farmer should request a site visit from the garda." The IFA also said farmers should make immediate contact with the local dog warden and the full details reported with a request for a site visit and full report to be filed. Farmers should also contact a vet to request a visit to inspect the flock after any incident. "The farmer should ask the vet to write a brief report recording the important statistics such as the numbers dead, those severely injured and those treated. This report is vital evidence on the case," the IFA said. Farmers should also take pictures of any dead livestock, injuries, dead dogs, and keep them as evidence. All dead sheep must then be disposed of and recorded into the knackery. The IFA advises farmers to contact their local auctioneer or valuer and have any dead sheep valued on the spot and any other losses documented. The IFA said it is very important that farmers contact their insurance company to notify of any dog attack as soon as possible. At a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food this summer, members of the National Association for Regional Game Councils (NARGC) urged politicians to consider legislation currently in place. John Butler of the NARGC said that while a landowner is allowed to dispatch a dog worrying sheep, sometimes they may not have the facility to do so. "They should be able to call on a local gun club member or a local licence holder to do it on their behalf," Butler said. "We would like to see this acknowledged as part of the legislation and included as part and parcel of it." Dan Curley of the NARGC added that changing the legislation could "allow the farmer to get a gun club member down the road who may have a far more powerful rifle". "The member may shoot deer or foxes and would have the necessary equipment to do it far better," Curley said. "The average farmer might only have a shotgun, with which someone would have to get within 30 or 40 yards of a dog to dispatch it. It would only be a small amendment but it could be an important one." On June 1, 2025, all policy and legislative responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. Local authorities retain responsibility for all operational, implementation and enforcement matters under the acts. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon said that a high-level stakeholder group was established in 2024 to consider policy and legislative matters currently under the remit of his department, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. "The stakeholder group's remit includes considering the need for legislative change," the minister said. "This requires in-depth analysis and consultation to ensure amendments are not just robust, fit for purpose and implementable but that they also deliver the best outcomes for communities. "I expect the group to revert to me with recommendations on the matter in due course, and I look forward to receiving the recommendations of the group."
Irish Independent
16-07-2025
- Irish Independent
‘Panic' in Dundalk estate as dog roaming among playing kids may have been XL Bully
The Argus understands the dog escaped from a property in the Doolargy area of Muirhevnamor, and ran out on to a public space. Local councillor, Kevin Meenan, said he had received 'numerous calls from residents' on Tuesday morning, with some recalling 'panic' when the dog was spotted. "There was a lot of shouting at kids to get inside as local people believed it was an XL Bully.' He explained that people living locally believe the dog is owned by a resident of the Doolargy area. "This was a potentially dangerous incident. We all know the risks that XL Bully dogs come with, especially when children are around.' New regulations under the Control of Dogs Act were introduced in 2024 governing XL Bully breeds. It is now illegal to import, breed, sell or re-home XL Bullies in Ireland. It is also illegal to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate. Cllr. Meenan called for greater monitoring of the area by dog wardens from Louth County Dog Pound. The incident followed concerns raised by Cllr. Meenan at the July meeting of Dundalk Municipal District where he reported other 'dangerous dogs' which he said had been 'roaming free' in Muirhevnamor, 'leaving children afraid to walk to school.' He said he believed these dogs, which have been seen in Muirhevnamor, were likely from both private houses and council houses. 'I just wanted to flag this up, as we can't have dangerous dogs roaming the streets.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more He highlighted fears among local people that these dogs 'could be vicious' and that they were 'leaving young people afraid to walk to school, and people afraid to walk to mass' The Argus contacted Louth County Council for a response to the issues raised by Cllr. Meenan at the Dundalk Municipal meeting. A spokesperson said: 'This matter is currently the subject of an active investigation. Our dog wardens have been patrolling and monitoring the area over recent weeks. We encourage any members of the public who witness roaming dogs or observe any suspicious activity to report it to the Louth County Council Dog Warden Service by calling 042 932 4345 or emailing vets@ Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Straits Times
Owners let dogs roam unleashed in Punggol and Sengkang, one confronts resident who calls him out
Owners let dogs roam unleashed in Punggol and Sengkang, one confronts resident who calls him out Two Stompers have separately raised concerns about irresponsible pet owners letting their dogs roam off-leash in public housing estates. In one case, a man was confronted after allegedly letting two small dogs run free near Block 123B Rivervale Drive in Sengkang on May 25 at about 10.04am. Stomper Mukund, told Stomp: "I asked the man why he didn't leash his dogs, and he simply replied, 'I will not', 'I don't care lah', and 'Whatever'." The situation escalated when the man allegedly stepped closer to Mukund and confronted him with a "threatening tone". "Seeing this behaviour, the dogs went out of control and started charging towards me," said Mukund, who recorded a video after the altercation and lodged a police report. In the video, the man asks the Stomper: "What's your problem?" Mukund replies: "You are the problem, because you don't even have the basic courtesy to leash your dogs in a housing area." The man says: "Ya, ya, ya, you come here and teach me how to do things la." Mukund responds: "Of course." The resident told Stomp: "I am not against pet animals, but this kind of careless behaviour in public spaces is unacceptable and goes against the Control of Dogs Act." In another incident reported by Stomper Subah, a man was spotted letting his large breed dog roam off-leash near Block 132 Edgedale Plains in Punggol -- not once, but twice on the same day. "The dog looked like a Samoyed or Chow Chow and was walking freely in the neighbourhood," said Subah, who sent in two videos of the dog taken on July 9. "The owner only picked up the leash after he noticed I was filming him at about 7.40pm. "But when I passed by again at around 8.15pm, the dog was once again alone and off-leash while the man was further away using his phone." Pet owners are required by law to leash their dogs in public places. The maximum fine is $5,000. Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
Sunday World
11-06-2025
- Sunday World
Widow of Jason Hennessy Snr ordered to pay €11k for care of seized XL Bully dogs
Veronica Maher, 54, pleaded that her four beloved restricted breed pets were all she had to remember her late husband, who was shot dead in a Blanchardstown steakhouse A judge has ordered the widow of murder victim Jason Hennessy Snr to pay over €11,000 for the care of her four XL Bully dogs, seized in Dublin after one escaped and terrorised gardaí. Veronica Maher, 54, pleaded that her four beloved restricted breed pets were all she had to remember her late husband, who was shot dead in a Blanchardstown steakhouse on Christmas Eve, 2023. Ms Maher, of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, came before Dublin District Court on May 28 to challenge a Garda application under the Control of Dogs Act for an order to destroy Oddie, Reggie, their mother Medusa, and the fourth dog, Joe. Jason Hennessy Snr They have been in a dog pound and given veterinary attention since being taken from Ms Maher on April 4. Granting a destruction order for all four, Judge Anthony Halpin had noted evidence of six gardaí at the scene on March 28 when four officers fled from Oddie, who escaped from Ms Maher's garden. He accepted they had to take 'evasive action to save themselves from being savaged by an XL Bully dog.' He said they were terrified, and 'I can only imagine the utmost horror which they experienced.' However, Ms Maher is to appeal, attempting to overturn the ruling in the Circuit Court about Oddie and possibly bringing a judicial review of the destruction order being extended to the other three dogs. This has led to a temporary halt on the animals being put down pending the outcome of the appeals. Today, the case resumed, and she appeared again before Judge Halpin to consider costs. Veronica Maher News in 90 Seconds - June 11th Garda Sergeant Michael Harkin said the upkeep of the dogs for the past nine weeks was €10,716, and there was a €500 vet's bill. Judge Halpin granted the costs order for Ms Maher to pay €11,216 but also acceded to Ms Maher's lawyer's application for a transcript of the original hearing for the appeal. During the earlier hearing, Judge Halpin said Odie 'left the premises and pursued the gardaí was dangerous and could easily have fatally wounded one or all those gardaí,' he remarked. Visibly upset, Ms Maher denied opening a gate to unleash the unmuzzled dog on gardai patrolling in her cul-de-sac. She said the dogs were part of her family, like their children, and Oddie slept in her king-sized bed. The judge also noted evidence that she had these dogs to protect the property. She testified that three-year-old Oddie jumped the front garden wall, and she denied the accusation that she set the dog on the garda. She also claimed Medusa had also been in the yard at the time. The court heard the other two were in cages in the back garden, and Oddie had already damaged a rear garden exit. Garda Sean McLoughlin alleged that when he got near her house, she told him, 'Get the fuck away from my house yous murderers'. He was in absolute fear for his life that he would be viciously attacked by the dog, which chased and tried to bite him. He alleged she let the dog out her front garden gate. He and three colleagues fled to different gardens, with one standing on a wall until backup arrived a few minutes later. He believed that Oddie was a credible threat and he would be set on them again. Ms Maher brought the dog back into the house, and she denied telling gardaí, 'If yous don't fuck off now, I'll get him back out here.' Witness Kayleigh McEntee, 26, of Waterville Row, Blanchardstown, was at the house and contradicted the evidence that Ms Maher opened the gate. She also said the dogs were safe and often around children. Three more gardaí said they also had had to flee to gardens in the cul de sac, with one telling Judge Halpin that he feared he would be killed. Photographs were handed in showing some of the dogs with family and children. In his ruling, Judge Halpin described one image of an infant surrounded by two enormous XL Bully dogs as upsetting 'given the potential ferocity of these animals'. He found that the dogs were dangerous and not under proper control.
Extra.ie
29-05-2025
- Extra.ie
XL Bully pitbulls terrorising Gardaí to be put down
A Judge has ordered the destruction of four XL Bully pitbulls owned by murder victim Jason Hennessy Sr's widow after one escaped their garden and terrorised gardaí in Dublin. Veronica Maher, 54, pleaded that her four beloved restricted-breed pets were all she had to remember her late husband, who was shot dead in a Blanchardstown steakhouse on Christmas Eve, 2023. Ms Maher, of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, came before Dublin District Court to challenge a Garda application under the Control of Dogs Act for an order to destroy Oddie, Reggie, their mother Medusa, and a fourth dog, Joe. XL Bully. Photo: Getty. Judge Anthony Halpin noted evidence of six gardaí at the scene on March 28 when four officers fled from Oddie. He accepted they had to take 'evasive action to save themselves from being savaged by an XL Bully dog'. He said: 'I can only imagine the utmost horror which they experienced. That dog which left the premises and pursued the garda was dangerous and could easily have fatally wounded one or all those gardaí.' A visibly upset Ms Maher denied opening a gate to unleash the unmuzzled dog on gardaí in her cul-de-sac. She said the dogs were like their children, and Oddie slept in her bed. The judge noted she had the dogs to protect the property. Pic: Shutterstock The grandmother testified that three-year-old Oddie jumped the front garden wall when the garda put his hand in. She refuted the accusation that she set the dog on the garda. She claimed Medusa was in the yard at the time. The other two dogs were in cages in the back garden, and Oddie had damaged a rear garden exit. Garda Seán McLoughlin alleged that when he got near her house, she told him: 'Get the f**k away from my house, youse murderers.' He feared he would be viciously attacked by the dog, which chased and tried to bite him. He alleged she let the dog out through the front gate. He and three gardaí fled to other gardens. Ms Maher brought the dog inside, and denied telling gardaí: 'If youse don't f**k off now, I'll get him back out here.' The judge found the dogs were dangerous and not under proper control and acceded to a Garda application to grant a destruction order for all four.
