Republic of Ireland legislation
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this page, ANVIL Ireland assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or up to date nature of the information provided.
ANVIL Ireland does not accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions.
This page contains the links with a brief explanation of each piece of legislation. While there is other animal welfare legislation, the following refers mainly to companion animals.
Full primary and secondary legislation may be found on the Irish Statute Book website.
Other legislation and information may be found on the Oireachtas website.
Laws have been enacted to protect animals in Ireland over the past 100 years. The recent Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010 and The Welfare of Greyhounds Act, 2011, will increase that protection. However, animal welfare groups believe more needs to be done.
Below is the list of acts and regulations for companion animals along with a brief explanatory note. Full primary and secondary legislation can be found on the Irish Statute Book website
Protection of Animals Act, 1911
This was the first major piece of animal welfare legislation. The Act set laws against the mistreatment of animals. It prohibited beating, kicking, over-riding, torture and terrifying animals. It also put the onus on owners to ensure that these things didn’t happen. Those found guilty of cruelty were liable to a fine of up to 25 pounds or a maximum of six months’ imprisonment. It was quite robust legislation for its day.
Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1965
In 1965, the amendment to the Act set out a number of additional laws. Among them were:
Pounds (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935
The 1935 Act placed a duty on local authorities to provide pounds. The authorities were required to ensure the premises are suitable for purpose and also to appoint “fit and proper” staff to look after those pounds.
Greyhound Industry Act, 1958
Greyhound Race Track (Racing) Regulations, 1993
The Greyhound Industry Act 1958 led to the establishment of Bord na gCon – the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB). It gave the board the power to grant, refuse and withdraw licences for greyhound racing tracks. It also placed restrictions and levies on bookmakers carrying out business at tracks and coursing meetings.
A control committee within the IGB was established under the 1993 regulations. This gave the committee the power to carry out investigations into people suspected of breaking the board’s regulations. Those regulations govern the treatment and breeding of greyhounds.
Animals Act, 1985
This Act dealt with such issues as impounding and wandering of animals.
Control of Dogs Act, 1986
Control of Dogs Regulations, 1987
Control of Dogs (No 2) Regulations, 1987
Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act, 1992
Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998
The 1986 Control of Dogs Act and various regulations are concerned with the control of dogs and the restriction of certain breeds.
Control of Dogs Act, 1986 (Guard Dogs) Regulations, 1988
Control of Dogs Act, 1986 (Guard Dogs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1989
Under the 1988 regulations, a curb was placed on the use of guard dogs. They could not be used in certain premises, including clubs or where construction was taking place. Where a guard dog was present, they had to be under the control of a person or secured in such a manner to prevent escape.
Interesting fact: People are legally obliged to put a prominent sign up warning that a guard dog is present.
The 1989 amendment said each dog should be housed in a single kennel of a certain size.
Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations, 1991
Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Amendment Regulations, 1991
Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs (Amendment) Regulations, 1996
In 1991, 11 breeds were placed under restriction regulations. These were:
American Pit Bull Terrier; Bulldog; Bull Mastiff; Doberman Pinscher; English Bull Terrier; German Shepherd (Alsatian); Japanese Akita; Japanese Tosa; Rhodesian Ridgeback; Rottweiler and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
It also included all dogs commonly known as ‘ban dogs’ and every cross associated with the named breeds. The regulations did not apply to dogs kept by An Garda Síochána.
The restrictions included the following:
Animals Remedies Act, 1993
The 1993 Animals Remedies Act places restrictions on the sale, importation and use of certain animal remedies and treatments.
Animal Remedies Regulations 2005
European Communities (Animal Remedies) Regulations 2007
The European Communities (Animal Remedies)(No.2) Regulations, 2009
In 2005, the Irish Government introduced animal remedies regulations to comply with upcoming EU legislation.
Under the Irish and EU regulations, animal remedies can only be prescribed for companion animals by a registered vet. The vet can only issue prescriptions to animals under their care.
The European regulations set rules regarding the authorisation, manufacture, import, wholesale and sale of animal remedies.
Control of Horses Act, 1996
The Control of Horses Act was introduced to control the ownership of horses, especially in built-up areas. Local authorities may declare all or any part of its functional area a control area.
Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010
For more information about the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010, please see our dedicated page.
Welfare of Greyhounds Bill, 2011
This Bill sets out to improve the level of welfare in the greyhound industry. The objective is similar to that of the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill. The approach is different, however, due to the nature of keeping greyhounds.
It extends to all greyhounds in the racing and coursing industry. Unregistered greyhounds, such as pets, are not covered under the scope of the Bill.
The Bill:
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this page, ANVIL Ireland assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or up to date nature of the information provided.
ANVIL Ireland does not accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions.
This page contains the links with a brief explanation of each piece of legislation. While there is other animal welfare legislation, the following refers mainly to companion animals.
Full primary and secondary legislation may be found on the Irish Statute Book website.
Other legislation and information may be found on the Oireachtas website.
Laws have been enacted to protect animals in Ireland over the past 100 years. The recent Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010 and The Welfare of Greyhounds Act, 2011, will increase that protection. However, animal welfare groups believe more needs to be done.
Below is the list of acts and regulations for companion animals along with a brief explanatory note. Full primary and secondary legislation can be found on the Irish Statute Book website
Protection of Animals Act, 1911
This was the first major piece of animal welfare legislation. The Act set laws against the mistreatment of animals. It prohibited beating, kicking, over-riding, torture and terrifying animals. It also put the onus on owners to ensure that these things didn’t happen. Those found guilty of cruelty were liable to a fine of up to 25 pounds or a maximum of six months’ imprisonment. It was quite robust legislation for its day.
Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1965
In 1965, the amendment to the Act set out a number of additional laws. Among them were:
- The prohibition of selling pets in a public place
- The prohibition of the sale of pets to children under 12
- Provisions for pet shops
- Provisions for ownership of stray dogs
- Restrictions on trapping animals
- Provisions for the care of impounded animals
- Prohibition of exercising greyhounds in public places, unless they were under control
Pounds (Provision and Maintenance) Act, 1935
The 1935 Act placed a duty on local authorities to provide pounds. The authorities were required to ensure the premises are suitable for purpose and also to appoint “fit and proper” staff to look after those pounds.
Greyhound Industry Act, 1958
Greyhound Race Track (Racing) Regulations, 1993
The Greyhound Industry Act 1958 led to the establishment of Bord na gCon – the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB). It gave the board the power to grant, refuse and withdraw licences for greyhound racing tracks. It also placed restrictions and levies on bookmakers carrying out business at tracks and coursing meetings.
A control committee within the IGB was established under the 1993 regulations. This gave the committee the power to carry out investigations into people suspected of breaking the board’s regulations. Those regulations govern the treatment and breeding of greyhounds.
Animals Act, 1985
This Act dealt with such issues as impounding and wandering of animals.
Control of Dogs Act, 1986
Control of Dogs Regulations, 1987
Control of Dogs (No 2) Regulations, 1987
Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act, 1992
Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998
The 1986 Control of Dogs Act and various regulations are concerned with the control of dogs and the restriction of certain breeds.
Control of Dogs Act, 1986 (Guard Dogs) Regulations, 1988
Control of Dogs Act, 1986 (Guard Dogs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1989
Under the 1988 regulations, a curb was placed on the use of guard dogs. They could not be used in certain premises, including clubs or where construction was taking place. Where a guard dog was present, they had to be under the control of a person or secured in such a manner to prevent escape.
Interesting fact: People are legally obliged to put a prominent sign up warning that a guard dog is present.
The 1989 amendment said each dog should be housed in a single kennel of a certain size.
Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Regulations, 1991
Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs) Amendment Regulations, 1991
Control of Dogs (Restriction of Certain Dogs (Amendment) Regulations, 1996
In 1991, 11 breeds were placed under restriction regulations. These were:
American Pit Bull Terrier; Bulldog; Bull Mastiff; Doberman Pinscher; English Bull Terrier; German Shepherd (Alsatian); Japanese Akita; Japanese Tosa; Rhodesian Ridgeback; Rottweiler and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
It also included all dogs commonly known as ‘ban dogs’ and every cross associated with the named breeds. The regulations did not apply to dogs kept by An Garda Síochána.
The restrictions included the following:
- The dogs had to be kept on a sufficiently strong leash
- They had to be muzzled
- They could not be walked by a person under 16 years
Animals Remedies Act, 1993
The 1993 Animals Remedies Act places restrictions on the sale, importation and use of certain animal remedies and treatments.
Animal Remedies Regulations 2005
European Communities (Animal Remedies) Regulations 2007
The European Communities (Animal Remedies)(No.2) Regulations, 2009
In 2005, the Irish Government introduced animal remedies regulations to comply with upcoming EU legislation.
Under the Irish and EU regulations, animal remedies can only be prescribed for companion animals by a registered vet. The vet can only issue prescriptions to animals under their care.
The European regulations set rules regarding the authorisation, manufacture, import, wholesale and sale of animal remedies.
Control of Horses Act, 1996
The Control of Horses Act was introduced to control the ownership of horses, especially in built-up areas. Local authorities may declare all or any part of its functional area a control area.
Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010
For more information about the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010, please see our dedicated page.
Welfare of Greyhounds Bill, 2011
This Bill sets out to improve the level of welfare in the greyhound industry. The objective is similar to that of the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill. The approach is different, however, due to the nature of keeping greyhounds.
It extends to all greyhounds in the racing and coursing industry. Unregistered greyhounds, such as pets, are not covered under the scope of the Bill.
The Bill:
- Allows for the publication of codes of practice
- Sets out specific welfare standards
- Restricts the number of times a female greyhound can breed
- Sets the minimum age for breeding at 15 months
- Places an onus on people with four or more bitches over 15 months to register
- Gives local authority-appointed welfare officers, the IGB and the ICC (Irish Coursing Club) powers to inspect and issue welfare notices.
