All dogs need to be microchipped, says Laois IFA Chair

As a new working group is set up to tackle dog control, Laois Irish Farmers Association(IFA) Chair says every dog needs to be microchipped. 

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, met this week to discuss how their Departments can address shared concerns regarding dog control and ownership.

They agreed to establish a working group to examine issues such as fines under the Control of Dogs Act, enforcement at local authority level, the provision of dog wardens, microchipping, promoting responsible dog ownership and licences. The group will meet in the coming days and report to the two Ministers. 

Laois IFA Chair John Fitzpatrick believes it is only a matter of time before there’s another sheep kill in Laois. He said the issue of dog control is at crisis point and action is needed. “Every dog is going to have to be microchipped,” he insisted. 

Mr Fitzpatrick believes some people won’t take dog ownership responsibly until they are held to account. He said there needs to be a proper microchip database for owners and a movement licence system so owners can be traced if a dog has a new owner. It’s only a month since sheep were killed by dogs in Laois and Mr Fitzpatrick says it’s only a matter of time before it happens again.  

Graphic Images: Devastated Laois farmer issues appeal after sheep kill

“This is what your pets do on a Saturday afternoon.”

Minister McConalogue and Minister Humphreys confirmed that they will consult and engage with relevant stakeholders to update them regularly on the progress of the new working group. 

Minister McConalogue said:  “As two Ministers with primary responsibility in the area of dogs, Minister Humphreys and I held a very constructive meeting with a focus on working closely together in the time ahead.”

“There is a clear commitment from both of us to tackle this issue and ensure that the law is as robust as possible to ensure that both people and animals are safe,” he said. 

“Our dogs are more than pets, they are our companions and loyal friends. However, the harrowing scenes we have witnessed recently show the threat dogs can pose if they are not properly controlled by their owners. Both Minister Humphreys and I will work proactively on this in the time ahead.” 

“Attacks by dogs can have a devastating impact on families, as we have seen during a number of deeply disturbing incidents in recent weeks,” said Minister Humphreys. 

“While the issue of dog control crosses a number of different Government Departments, as well as our local authorities, it is vital that we get to grips with this issue,” she added. 

“That’s why, as a first step, Minister McConalogue and I have decided to set up a working group, which will consider all relevant legislative and enforcement issues in relation to dogs.

“This review will bring all the key players together to consider what action can be taken to keep both people and animals safe,” said Minister Humphreys.