The unfortunate incident of a fatal dog attack on a young woman in Limerick, coupled with other recent similar events, has reignited discussions about the potential prohibition of specific dog breeds such as the XL bully, a variant of bulldog that was implicated in the Limerick case. Drawing parallels to the UK, a ban on XL bullies had been recently established, further strengthening the already strict 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act which prescribed dog ownership permission only to certain breeds.
Currently, in contrast, we do not have analogous regulations; however, there are certain directives for 11 breeds including species and mixed breeds. The guidelines demand these dogs to be leashed on a short lead by an individual above the age of 16 and muzzled in public places. Additionally, specific breeds are disallowed by tenants of Dublin City Council along with several other local councils.
These evolving circumstances have incited a thorough review under a retired deputy Garda commissioner to evaluate the necessity of implementing additional measures.
The perennial debate on whether particular breeds are genetically predisposed to display aggressive behavior remains contentious. Detractors, among them, the RSPCA in the UK contend that there is no definitive scientific proof to show that any specific breed is inherently more aggressive. They assert that upbringing and environment are more influential factors in predicting the likelihood of a dog acting out aggressively.
However, lawmakers have to consider a variety of other considerations, even while conceding to these arguments. These include the incapacity of the State to monitor and regulate how these dogs are reared and the lethal risk large, powerful breeds can pose.
Combining these elements with the obligation to protect the public from untold harm underscores a compelling reason to enforce a prohibition, though the conditions of its execution may necessitate careful consideration.