Help Please - Dangerous / Restricted Dogs ??

TheB

The dangerous dogs act here... I have been reading your (very informative posts) about the Dogs Act(s) in Ireland.. and what I should be doing.. It all seems very complicated regarding areas / rules etc etc.. I realise our 2 dogs are "restricted breeds" - is this a countrywide thing or just part of the DCC ruling ? And blanket ban ? Is this true ? So many dogs will be destroyed.. How horrific..

I'm not a total numpty though (!) it's just we have recently moved here with our 2 dogs and our horse from the U.K - we were not informed by anyone about a dangerous dog law .. only found out about it recently. Everyone I speak to seems to have a different version of it so can anyone give me an idiots guide ?

Our situation is this -

We are temporarily living in Laois. We will :fingerscrossedforsurveytogowell: hopefully be moving to Westmeath after Crimbo to a country house with 4 acres (Yay! - the horse can live at home! And the dogs will have their very own river! They LOVE water)

We have 2 dogs (well - puppies) .. a 6 month old GSDxRottie and a 4 month old GSDxLab. We have had GSD's, Ridgebacks, Boerboels (I lived in South Africa where they are quite common) etc for many years - since I was a child - we lost our last much adored GSD through Age & CDRM in June .. but back to topic. .. the girls are well socialised, well mannered and attend puppy classes already. They are vaccinated and will be spayed at an appropriate age (they will not be bred from at all)

Where do we stand with the Dangerous Dogs law ? We have been walking them off lead where possible - in Woods etc where there are no other people / dogs - although they are friendly etc they are always re-called and put back on the lead if we see people and/or other dogs. Have we been breaking the law by letting them off the lead ? Should they wear muzzles ?

Idiots guide needed!!

WorriedOfLaois

Vinnie K

Welcome to the Board and country!!

American Pit Bull Terrier
Bull Mastiff
Doberman Pinscher
English Bull Terrier
German Shepherd (Alsatian)
Japanese Akita
Japanese Tosa
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Theres the dogs on the ristricted list, or any cross breeds of them. Your dogs should be muzzeled and kept on a short lead at all times in public and the lead should only be held by someone over 16(not sure if its 16, but its around that.)
The(idiotic) ban on these dogs was only implements in the DCC areas and only in council owned properties, so that wont concern you.
I can fully understand about leaving your dogs off the lead in secluded areas, i do it with my little staffie and always put him back on when i see someone. But sure your sorted after xmas anyway, 4 acres for them to run around, lucky feckers.
Vinnie.

TheB

Vinnie K wrote: »

Welcome to the Board and country!!

Hi!! and thank you!!

Vinnie K wrote: »

Your dogs should be muzzeled and kept on a short lead at all times in public and the lead should only be held by someone over 16(not sure if its 16, but its around that.)

Ok.. thats perfect info thanks - the facts I needed to know.. will get muzzles asap..can they just have the mesh ones ? I don't like the cage or basket types..

Vinnie K wrote: »

The(idiotic) ban on these dogs was only implements in the DCC areas and only in council owned properties, so that wont concern you.

It does seem a bit bonkers .. I can sort of see the reasons (kind of) - but it is going to lead to chaos no ? Abandoned dogs, family pets being (hopefully) rehomed or if not.. well.. it doesn't bear thinking about.. Why did they take such a hard line ?

Surely a neutering and strict licensing plan so the restricted breeds in the areas concerned eventually eradicted (as no-one breeds in those areas and no licenses granted for new dogs to those neighbourhoods for those breeds so no purchase options - the decline is enevitable - surely ? ) Would have to be policed thoroughly though and those who defy the rules reprimanded properly.. eviction ? Fines ? Prison for re-offenders ? Or would it be too much to police that way maybe ? Dog wardens with power of arrest ? Surely there must be some other way ?

Vinnie K wrote: »

I can fully understand about leaving your dogs off the lead in secluded areas, i do it with my little staffie and always put him back on when i see someone.

I know quite a few people that do that :cool: .. how else are the poor things going to have "dogtime" ? Our girls love it! Couple of irresponsibles out there though.. One lady I have met (on my own with ours) who has 4 labs..big ones.. off leads and wreaking havoc.. terrified our smallest girlie by leaping on her .. woman carried on walking & ignored my screaming puppy and cowering other pup and actually tutted - tutted!! when I yelled at her dog to chase it off.. My dogs were on leads.

Vinnie K wrote: »

But sure your sorted after xmas anyway, 4 acres for them to run around, lucky feckers.

I am quite smug about that .. ... I can't wait!! (assuming survey etc all ok .. fingers are permanently crossed in our house!) .. .. perhaps I'll open an "Off The Lead" holiday park for beleagured city dogs.. :TheBPonders:

Bx

Our man in Havana

I am sure the mesh ones will be fine - they look better than the basket type ones thats for sure!

Where in Laois are you??

TheB

Portlaoise.. for now.. if house sale goes smoothly will be in Westmeath..

Are you from Laois ?

Bx

BeauZak

Best muzzles are the Baskerville muzzles NOT the soft nylonones as they do not allow the dog to breath well or regulate temperature. The soft nylon muzzles are really only for grooming or use for 5 mins or so.

There is no Dangerous Dogs list there is a restricted breeds list.

If you are living in Dublin City Council Accomodation you are not permitted to have a dog listed on the Restricted breeds list however rather than getting rid of your dog if you are in this situation and IF you are a responsible dog owner you should have your solicitor review your tennancy agreement and have them speak with DCC if you have any problems.

This whole area must be reviewed. If you are concerned about this email Minister For Environment Minister Gormley his details are here www.johngormley.com

Hope that helps.

what2choose?

Boerbulls is pragtige honde!

Hi TheB, I too lived in South Africa, and the boerbull is a lovely breed. I wish you the best of luck with your dogs and your property!

michelleans

Welcome

I am living in Dublin half the week, Limerick the other half, and I have only twice seen a "restricted breed" dog muzzled. I have been told for the Limerick area that a head halti would do fine if the dog is not aggressive (I have a german shepherd who would be most likely to lick someone to death ) and that is what I will be using with my boy... I will not use a muzzle, law or not, as there is nothing dangerous about my dog and anyone with common sense could see that he does not need a muzzle.

If you move to the countryside I'm sure these laws will not be enforced, but as they stand they are the laws. If your dogs don't mind being muzzled no harm done, but if they hate it, I'd go for the head halti myself. The fine for not having the dog muzzled is a whopping 30 euro anyway...

I wonder if the government tried to implement a racist law concerning some "restricted nationalities" to be branded in public would it go down just as easily... :rolleyes:

Oh also the dog only has to be muzzled after it gets past 6 months old by what the law states...

Good luck