My neighbour owns a dog which I believe to be quite vicious. I have spoken with the owner about the fact that it does not wear a muzzle. He assures me that he is a quiet dog but the breed is known to be vicious and I am concerned that it will attack my children. Is my neighbour obliged to put a muzzle on the dog whilst in public?
The Control of Dogs Act 1986 imposes a strict liability for any injury or damage caused by a dog. This means that 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. 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.
Dogs must at all times wear a collar that bears the name and the address of the owner inscribed on it or on a plate, badge or disc. Failure to have identification on a dog can result in an on-the-spot fine issued by a dog warden.
Certain breeds of dog, including strains and cross breeds, must be muzzled whenever they are in a public place and must be kept on a short strong lead (under 2 metres) by a person over 16 years who is capable of controlling them. Such breeds include American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, English Bull Terrier, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler,
Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bandog. This also applies to strains or cross-breeds of these breeds.
Failure to keep a dog under control in a public place can result in an on-the-spot fine of €300 paid to your local authority. You can also be prosecuted in the District Court and potentially receive a maximum fine of €2,500 or 3 months’ imprisonment or both.