Restricted Breeds of Dog
Under the Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations 1991, additional rules are imposed in relation to the following breeds, or any strains and crosses of these breeds.
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- English Pit Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Bull mastiff
- Dobermann Pinscher
- German Shephard
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Rottweiler
- Japanese Akita
- Japanese Tosa
- Bandog
The regulations state the following:
- These dogs, or strains or crosses of them must be kept on a short, strong lead by a person over 16 years of age who is capable of controlling them
- These dogs or strains or crosses of them must be securely muzzled whenever they are in a public place.
- These dogs or strains or crosses of them, must wear a collar bearing the name and address of their owner at all times
- These dogs or strains or their crosses must be micro-chipped and registered with an approved body.
On-the-spot fines of €300 may be imposed for breaches of Restricted Breeds legislation.
Link to legislation - S.I. No. 442/1998 - Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998