Tipperary councillors call for ban on dangerous dog breeds following attacks

COUNCILLORS in North Tipperary have called for a ban on dangerous dog breeds following devastating attacks in their area.
The councillors told the recent meetings of Tipperary County Council and Nenagh Municipal District that following sheep kills in the Moneygall and Lorrha areas, and a terrible attack on a young boy in Wexford, dangerous dog breeds shouldn't be allowed any more in Ireland.
Cllr Michael O'Meara put forward a motion to the County Council calling for the banning of ownership and he was supported by the other councillors.
Cllr O'Meara told the meeting that a complete reform of dog owners' responsibilities must take place immediately, because it was essential for the safety of members of the public and animals. He argued that a proper public indemnity insurance requirement should be enshrined in new legislation for all dog owners, and he called on the Council to write to the Minister for Agriculture, the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Minister for Housing on the matter.
Last week the Government set up a working group to examine fines, enforcement and how dog wardens are deployed in a bid to prevent further “devastating and deeply disturbing” dog attacks in local communities.
The councillors during their meetings last week deeply sympathised with the farmers in Lorrha and Moneygall who “had to face carnage” on their lands. Cllr O'Meara said the farmers had suffered “psychological trauma” as well as big financial blows to their livelihood.
The councillor pointed out that ownership of the twelve breeds of dangerous dogs in the State should be clamped down on. The councillor said he's a dog lover himself but people should be aware of the dangers which dogs can pose. “I am asking that dangerous dogs not be allowed into the country at all. I know it's a tall order but that is what I am looking at.
“I saw first hand the recent carnage caused to a flock of 80 sheep in my own Lorrha area. The sheep were totally destroyed, and if people had been in the area at the time I wonder if the dogs would have turned on them also.”
Cllr Ger Darcy agreed with the motion. He added that all dogs can do terrible damage when they gather in packs, not just dangerous breeds. He said he agrees with people shooting dogs dead if they are worrying sheep.
Cllr Joe Hannigan said people shouldn't be allowed to own more than one dangerous dog breed. He pointed out that there are a lot of dog attacks on sheep which go unreported. “The general public needs to be educated,” said Cllr Hannigan, “that when they buy a doberman pup or an alsatian or a pitbull that these are not just cuddly pets; they are more than that; and they need to be looked after in the appropriate manner. I am often taken aback to see people walking their dangerous dogs without a muzzle. I would also like to know how many dog breeding licences there are in Tipperary. I think as well that there are quite a few people who have too many dogs in their homes, as many as five or six; one or two would be sufficient.” The councillor spoke of heated arguments between neighbours in the Lower Ormond area where people are accusing dog owners of inadequate control of their dogs, and the owners are denying this. “There was a recent incident in Lower Ormond where an owner denied his dog was roaming free on the public road. When his home was searched the dog wasn't in its pen or anywhere in the home.”
A public meeting about the problem in Lower Ormond was held in Kilbarron Hall last Friday, January 20th.
Cllr Rocky McGrath congratulated Cllr O'Meara for bringing the motion forward.