The on-the-spot fine for owners who fail to control their dog is set to triple to €300. 

From December, dog wardens can issue a €300 fine to owners who have taken their dog off their leash or failed to a muzzle on restricted dog breeds. 

Dog wardens can also issue multiple fines at once.  

Announcing the fine increase, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys said it’s important to improve dog control nationwide. 

“The majority of dog owners look after their dogs, but I want to make sure those who don’t look after their dogs are punished,” she said. 

“It's wrong to let your dog run unleashed and to let it run around out of control. 

“Whether they live in the country or the city, people have to be responsible for their dogs.” 

Dog wardens

Ms Humphreys also announced a further €2 million would be invested in more resources for local dog wardens such as vans.  

“We are looking at increasing the number of dog wardens across the country, but I think the point is here is that the dog warden can’t be everywhere,” she said. 

“The responsibility is on the dog owner to make sure their dog is kept under control.” 

She noted it is the responsibility of local authorities themselves to make sure dog wardens are available. 

Stakeholder group

There will also be a new stakeholder group to consider adding dogs to the restricted breeds list, including the XL Bully that was recently banned in the UK. 

Ms Humphreys said the XL Bully is already a restricted breed in Ireland because it it a crossbreed of two restricted breeds, but the new stakeholder group will address more breeds to be restricted. 

“I want the stakeholder group to hear the different views to give recommendations on the best way we can deal with some of the awful issues we have encountered in terms of dog attack people,” she said. 

“We don’t ban dogs, but we put them on a restricted list... it’s a complex balance.” 

Increasing fines further

The stakeholder group will also consider whether to increase the maximum fine dog owners can receive in court from €2,500. 

Ms Humphreys said she would be in favour of increasing the fine in court. 

“We have to get that message out to make sure your  dog is under control at all times,” she said.