Control of Dogs Act, 1986

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Regulation of premises and dogs.

19.—(1) The Minister may, by regulations, specify standards for premises in which more than five dogs aged over four months are kept and may make provision for the use and control of dogs.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, regulations under this section may—

(a) declare, in respect of any premises where more than five dogs aged over four months are kept, that such premises may not be used for such purpose as may be specified in the regulations unless such premises are registered with the relevant local authority;

(b) make provision, in relation to premises of the type referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection, for—

(i) the form of the register of such premises to be maintained by a local authority;

(ii) the requirements to be complied with to enable any such premises to be registered;

(iii) the circumstances in which registration of any such premises may be refused or cancelled;

(iv) the construction and operation of kennels in any such premises;

(v) the keeping of records by the owner or occupier of such premises and the inspection of any such records;

(c) make provision for the regulation of the use of guard dogs in the course of business;

(d) make provision for the muzzling of dogs in specified circumstances and for the keeping of dogs under control;

(e) make provision for the identification of the ownership of dogs by the wearing by the dog of a collar or harness bearing the name and address of the owner inscribed thereon or on a plate, badge or disc attached thereto;

(f) make provision for any other means of the identification of dogs;

(g) require that a dog shall carry a means of licence identification whether by means of a disc, badge or plate attached to its collar or harness or by any other means;

(h) make provision for the exemption from all or any of the provisions of the regulations of an inspector (within the meaning of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1966 ) or other officer of the Minister for Agriculture, an officer of a local authority or a member of the Garda Síochána when a dog is in the possession of such person for the purposes of that Act.