The ISPCA has raised fears that a ban on XL Bully dogs will lead to more dogs being abandoned.
The planned restrictions, to be introduced later this year, would make it illegal for animal charities like the ISPCA to rehome any banned dog breeds.
Of the total 211 dogs in ISPCA care, 28 dogs potentially fall under the definition of an XL Bully.
The ISPCA said the change in legislation is deeply worrying for responsible dog owners who already comply with the laws governing responsible dog ownership.
ISPCA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Cyril Sullivan said that bans on specific breeds that have been in place in the UK for over 30 years, simply have not worked.
Dr Sullivan said banning a breed won’t stop dog attacks.
“We are calling on the Minister to ensure that enforcement of the current dog control legislation is adequately resourced, and that the potential fall-out of this measure on animal welfare charities such as the ISPCA, is also addressed well in advance of any ban,” Dr Sullivan said.
“The ISPCA can’t turn our back on any dog that needs to be rescued, regardless of its breed, and confining a dog to a kennel environment for the rest of its life, or euthanising a healthy dog, is just not an option”.
The ISPCA saw an increase in the number of ‘bully’ breeds coming into its care through the work of its Inspectors over the past number of years, corresponding with a rise in their popularity, particularly around the time of the pandemic.
Cyril added: “There is a real risk of dog abandonment of this breed following a ban, and the ISPCA’s own Animal Rehabilitation Centres are already full, as are many other rescue groups around the country and rehoming challenges is already a serious issue. The ISPCA is always advocating for responsible dog ownership, and we should be looking at stricter controls and stronger enforcement of the dog control legislation already in place. The message is simple, if you own a dog, you must be a responsible dog owner, or face prosecution”.
Dr Sullivan has been appointed to a working group on the implementation of the XL bully breed ban established by Minister for Rural and Community Development and local TD, Heather Humphreys.
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