‘Jurassic Park’ dog breeders slammed for creating ‘vicious’ mutts amid rise in attacks as XL Bully ban plan considered | KO47C80 | 2024-05-12 00:08:01
'Jurassic Park' dog breeders slammed for creating 'vicious' mutts amid rise in attacks as XL Bully ban plan considered | KO47C80 | 2024-05-12 00:08:01
HEATHER Humphreys has slammed "Jurassic Park" style dog breeders who create fearsome mutts like the XL Bully.
The Rural Development Minister has appointed ex-Garda Assistant Commissioner John Twomey to lead a new team examining dog laws here.
She has also tripled the fines for irresponsible owners to €300.
Dog attacks are on the rise in Ireland. A study last year showed 3,158 people were admitted to hospital after being bitten between 2012 and 2021, including 1,121 kids.
In November 2022, little Alejandro Mizsan was attacked by a pit bull in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
The Minister was quizzed in the Dail this week by Sinn Fein TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire about former top cop Twomey's review and increasing the number of dog wardens across Ireland.
Humphreys said: "I have given more funding, an extra €2million, to local authorities to upgrade dog shelters and buy more dog warden vehicles and such things. I have spoken to Minister Darragh O'Brien about more dog wardens and he is looking at providing increased staffing resources to local authorities to increase the number of dog wardens on the ground.
"No matter what we do, the dog warden cannot be everywhere. We have a personal responsibility to look after our dog and to know where it is at all times.
"It was desperate what happened to that young lad in Wexford. It really was horrific. That sort of behaviour by those dog owners is wrong. They should keep their dogs under control. We need to have responsible breeding practices as well.
"I do not understand why people want to breed dogs that are vicious.
"It is not Jurassic Park here. People should not need to breed dogs just for the sole purpose of making them as vicious as possible.
"These dogs are just fashion statements for criminals."
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> The UK has recently put in place an outright ban on the XL Bully breed. Ireland does not have a ban on any dog but has restricted breeds.
Alejandro, who was nine at the time, was savaged by a pit bull which was roaming freely in November 2022.
In March, shamed Karen Miller and Niall Byrne were given two-year jail terms over a number of offences linked to the brutal dog attack.
Minister Humphreys previously told the Irish Sun that she would be happy to introduce an outright ban on XL Bullies if the new taskforce were to make that recommendation.
<p class="article__content--intro"> No dog licence: </p> </div> </div> She said: "I don't know why people would want XL Bully dogs. I really don't. I believe that in some cases, or in most cases for the XL Bully, they are fashion statements for criminals.
"People are intimidated by them and they put fear into people. So if that group (taskforce) decides that we need to ban dogs then I am happy to take their recommendations.
"I am open to that idea of the XL Bully (ban). I don't know why anybody would want a dog like that and why they are breeding these types of dogs.
"There are loads of dogs out there. Dogs are companions, they are not meant to be items to put fear into people."
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