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04-25-2006, 02:13 AM
Belfast Telegraph Home (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/) > News (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news)
All-Ireland dangerous dogs ban is demanded
By Clare Weir
24 April 2006
Bans on the ownership and breeding of so-called dangerous dogs must be introduced on an all-Ireland basis, animal welfare experts warned last night.
The USPCA believes that dog fight organisers may be exploiting differences in legislation between Northern Ireland and the Republic to bring in unlicensed animals.
The call comes days after a banned pit bull terrier-type animal was seized from the home of a GAA star who denied ownership of the dog.
The dog, believed to have been involved in an illegal fighting ring, travelled on a pet passport from Finland to Germany and into Dublin, but only became illegal when it crossed the border into Northern Ireland, which is covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
The ruling was implemented after a spate of attacks by American pit bull terriers on children and other dogs, and also bans the Fila Brasiliera, Dogo Argentino and Japanese Tosa - all bred to fight other large animals.
Pit bull terrier-type dogs are not illegal in the Republic.
Other European countries such as Germany have banned a number of breeds from all over the world, while native breeds such as Rottweilers and Dobermans must be kept under strict control.
In some European countries, a licence is required to breed and own dogs which naturally grow above a certain height.
Steven Philpott, chief executive of the USPCA, said last night the charity had been aware for some time that dog fighting enthusiasts had been exploiting the border to bring pit bulls into Northern Ireland.
"If Northern Ireland and the Republic had similar legislation it would go a long way in solving the difficulties that we experience," he said.
But, he added, "shared legislation on banned breeds could help crack down on the practice."
All-Ireland dangerous dogs ban is demanded
By Clare Weir
24 April 2006
Bans on the ownership and breeding of so-called dangerous dogs must be introduced on an all-Ireland basis, animal welfare experts warned last night.
The USPCA believes that dog fight organisers may be exploiting differences in legislation between Northern Ireland and the Republic to bring in unlicensed animals.
The call comes days after a banned pit bull terrier-type animal was seized from the home of a GAA star who denied ownership of the dog.
The dog, believed to have been involved in an illegal fighting ring, travelled on a pet passport from Finland to Germany and into Dublin, but only became illegal when it crossed the border into Northern Ireland, which is covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
The ruling was implemented after a spate of attacks by American pit bull terriers on children and other dogs, and also bans the Fila Brasiliera, Dogo Argentino and Japanese Tosa - all bred to fight other large animals.
Pit bull terrier-type dogs are not illegal in the Republic.
Other European countries such as Germany have banned a number of breeds from all over the world, while native breeds such as Rottweilers and Dobermans must be kept under strict control.
In some European countries, a licence is required to breed and own dogs which naturally grow above a certain height.
Steven Philpott, chief executive of the USPCA, said last night the charity had been aware for some time that dog fighting enthusiasts had been exploiting the border to bring pit bulls into Northern Ireland.
"If Northern Ireland and the Republic had similar legislation it would go a long way in solving the difficulties that we experience," he said.
But, he added, "shared legislation on banned breeds could help crack down on the practice."