Offaly County Council take the issue of Restricted Breeds of Dog very seriously. Special regulations apply to the presence of restricted breeds of dog in public. Dogs on the restricted breeds list need to be kept on a strong lead or chain less than 2metres long when out in public, they must also be muzzled in public and bear a collar with the owner’s name and contact details displayed on it. You must be 16 years of age or older to have a restricted breed in public and be capable of controlling the dog.
If you have concerns or wish to lodge a complaint about a dog on the restricted breed list and their owner please contact the Dog Shelter by phone on 057 935 1181 or email dogwarden@offalycoco.ie giving details of the breed of dog, owner’s address, and a brief description of the issue. You can also email a complaint to environment@offalycoco.ie giving the same details. The complaint will be lodged on the environment complaints system and be directed to the Dog Warden for investigation. If you have any supporting evidence such as images or video please attach them to any email.
Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 as they apply to Restricted Breeds
The Restricted Breeds of Dog are listed below and apply to any strain, cross or type of dog on the restricted list and the regulations on leads and muzzles are displayed below them.
The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 S.I. No. 442/1998 Section 5.(1) applies to every
a) American Pit Bull Terrier
b) Bull Mastiff
c) Doberman Pinscher
d) English Bull Terrier
e) German Shepherd (Alsatian)
f) Japanese Akita
g) Japanese Tosa
h) Rhodesian Ridgeback
i) Rottweiler
j) Staffordshire Bull Terrier
and to every dog of the type known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog) and to every strain or cross of every breed or type of dog described in this Article
The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 S.I. No. 442/1998 Section 5.(2) A person shall not permit a dog to which this article applies to be in a public place unless such dog is :-
i. Securely Muzzled: and
ii. Being led by a sufficiently strong chain or leash, not exceeding 2 metres in length, by a person over the age of Sixteen Years who is capable of controlling the said dog.
While Section 6.(1) states that the owner or other person in charge of a dog shall ensure that such dog shall at all times wear a collar bearing the name and address of the owner inscribed thereon or a plate, badge or is attached thereto.
Other Requirements
The Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015 also applies to restricted breeds, meaning that all dogs over the age of 4 weeks are legally required to be microchipped and registered on a recognised database (See Microchipping of Dogs webpage for a more detailed explanation).
Owners of dogs on the Restricted Breeds list are obliged to have a valid Dog Licence for them the same as any other dogs.
Fines
The Dog Warden has the power to issue fines for breaches of the Control of Dogs regulations with higher fines applying to restricted breeds. Multiple offences can be registered on a fine for each dog, with amounts being cumulative.
In December 2023 the fixed penalty notice fines under the Control of Dogs Act 1998 were increased as follows:
Allowing a dog that is required to be leashed in a public place to be unleashed in a public place, contrary to article 5 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998
Alt/Section 27(1)(f) €300.00
Allowing a dog that is required to be led in a public place, by a person over the age of sixteen years who is capable of controlling the dog to be otherwise led in a public place, contrary to article 5 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998.
Alt/Section 27(1)(f) €300.00
Allowing a dog that is required to be muzzled in a public place to be unmuzzled in a public place, contrary to article 5 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998.
Alt/Section 27(1)(f) €300.00
Failing to ensure that a dog wears a collar bearing the name and address of the owner inscribed thereon or on a plate, badge or disc attached thereto, contrary to article 6 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998. Section 27(1)(f) €200.00
Altering, defacing, mutilating, or rendering illegible the particulars on a collar worn by a dog, or on a plate, badge or disc attached thereto, contrary to article 6 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998 Section 27(1)(f) €200.00
Allowing a dog to wear a collar, or a plate, badge or disc attached thereof, which has been altered, defaced, mutilated, or rendered illegible or upon which the particulars have become illegible, contrary to article 6 of the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998. Section 27(1)(f) €200.00
Exemptions to Restricted Breeds Regulations
Articles 5 and 6 do not apply to any of the following:
• A dog being kept by the Garda Síochána or Defence Forces.
• A dog kept by the Dublin Port and Docks Board Harbour Police or by an Airport Police Fire Service at a State Airport.
• A dog kept by the Central Fisheries Board or Regional Fisheries Board.
• A dog kept by the Customs and Excise service of the Revenue Commissioners
And which is being used by a member, constable, officer, or official of said bodies in the execution of their respective duties.
Or
• A dog being used by a bona fide rescue team for the purpose of searching for a missing person or being trained for such searching.
• A dog being trained by a bona fide training establishment for the use by a person who is unable to find their way without guidance or, having been so trained is being used for the purpose of such a person.