New Awareness Campaign Targets Dog Owners In Wicklow

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys has launched a major national awareness campaign to remind dog owners of their responsibilities.

The campaign entitled – ‘It’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours’ - is aimed at increasing awareness of the harm that out of control dogs can do to people and to livestock.

 The goal is to change behaviour and to remind owners that they must always have their dog under control.

This campaign follows closely from a series of related initiatives;

• ·Increases in on-the-spot fines up to €300
• ·Additional €2 million to support dog pounds
• ·The establishment of the Dog Control Stakeholder Group.

The Stakeholder Group was established by Minister Humphreys in March of this year and is independently chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner Mr John Twomey.

The Group includes a broad range of sectoral interests and experts and been tasked with reviewing existing policy in relation to dog control and breeding establishments.

Visit www.gov.ie/Dogs to find out more.