The recent tragic incident of a young woman in Limerick being fatally attacked by a dog, along with a series of similar assaults, has reignited demands for the prohibition of certain canine breeds. This includes the XL bully, a breed of bulldog, which was the attacker in the Limerick incident.
The UK has already imposed a ban on the ownership of XL bullies, along with several other breeds, according to the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act. As of yet, there is no equivalent law in Ireland, although there are limitations on 11 breeds, including hybrids and crosses. These restrictions mandate that such breeds must be muzzled and on a short lead supervised by an individual above the age of 16 in public locations. Furthermore, residents of Dublin City Council, and several other local authorities, are prohibited from owning certain breeds.
A study led by a former assistant Garda commissioner is currently evaluating the need for additional control measures.
The question of whether specific dog breeds are naturally more aggressive and pose a severe enough threat to justify prohibition is indeed a controversial one. Detractors, including the UK’s RSPCA, highlight the absence of empirical data to prove that a certain breed is inherently more hostile. They contend that a dog’s upbringing, rather than its inherent nature, determines its likelihood to bite. They argue that the environment in which the dog is reared and looked after is equally, if not more, impactful.
Regardless, even if these points are valid and there is still uncertainty we must also consider other factors. One such factor is that it is not feasible for the State to oversee how dogs are raised and taken care of, nor ensure that powerful, larger breeds are kept in a manner that discourages aggressive behaviour. Additionally, policymakers must not overlook the potential fatality of an attack by a larger breed compared to the considerably less harmful impact of a smaller, weaker breed.
These variables, along with the necessity of avoiding any unnecessary risk to the public, make a strong case for the implementation of a prohibition, even though the conditions under which it would operate necessitate careful consideration.