Keeping of Dogs (Regulations) 2018

L.N. 318 of 2018

ANIMAL WELFARE ACT

(CAP. 439)

Keeping of Dogs (Regulations) 2018

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by articles 7 and 8 of

the Animal Welfare Act, the Minister for the Environment, Sustainable

Development and Climate Change, in conjunction with the

Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal

Rights, has made the following regulations:-

The title of these regulations is the Keeping of Dogs

(Regulations), 2018.

(Regulation 4)

Dog Enclosure Specifications

Enclosure general

1. No dog may be restricted at any time as to cause it unnecessary

suffering or injury. Every animal must be given the space

appropriate to its physiological and ethological needs as in

accordance with established experience and scientific

knowledge.

2. The minimum space per dog must never be less than the

following

Each enclosure shall be provided with a sleeping area and an

exercise area of at least

Minimum

Withers height of

Minimum

length of

dog

floor area

shortest side

<30cm

(1+N) x 1m

1m

sq

30-50cm

(1+N) x

1.2m

1.2m sq

>50cm

(1+N) X

1.2m

1.5m sq

N is referring to the number of dogs in same enclosure.

3. Materials to be used for the construction of accommodation,

especially which does come in direct contact, must not be

harmful to the animals and must be capable of being thoroughly

cleaned and disinfected.

4. Floors the dogs are kept must be designed, constructed and

maintained as not to cause injury or suffering to the dogs.

5. Air circulation, dust levels, temperature, relative air humidity

and gas concentrations must be kept within limits which are not

harmful to the animals.

6. Dogs must not be kept either in permanent darkness or without

an appropriate period of rest from artificial lighting. Where the

natural light is insufficient to meet the physiological and

ethological needs of the dogs, appropriate artificial lighting must

be provided.

7. In buildings were dogs are being kept noise levels as loud as

85dBA must be avoided.

€0.45

In these regulations unless the context otherwise requires

"Act" shall mean the Animal Welfare Act;

"collar" means any collar which is specifically designed to be

used around a dog's neck and which does not in any way endanger the

dog's health and well-being;

"dog" means an animal species which belongs to the species

Canis Lupus Familiaris;

"Minister" means Minister responsible for Veterinary Services;

"tether" means to restrain an animal by tying it to any stationary

object or structure, by any means, including but not limited to, a

chain, rope, cord, leash, pulley or cable run, but shall not include the

use of a leash when walking a dog in a public place.

(1)

No person shall tether, fasten, chain or restrain a

dog, or cause a dog to be tethered, fastened, or chained, tied to any

stationary object as permanent means of housing of a dog or as a

primary method of confinement of the dog

Provided that the ban on tethering or restraining a dog shall

not apply during veterinary procedures and during transport of dogs.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-regulation (1), any

veterinary surgeon and animal welfare officer may, during an

inspection, instruct the owner or keeper of a dog to temporarily tether

or restrain an aggressive dog which may pose danger to the public,

animals, or cause damage to property.

(3) Collars can only be used in accordance with the provisions

of these regulations, provided that the collar used, is an adequate

collar.

Confinement shall only be permissible

Provisions for

confinement of

a dog.

(a)

in an adequate enclosure in line with the Schedule

within a secure fencing;

(b)

on solid and impermeable flooring;

(c)

in good hygienic conditions; and

(d)

without tethering or restraint

Provided that in the event of the existence of any condition or

situation which is such that may pose a danger to the health and safety

of the dog, humans or other animals, other means of confinement,

including tethering shall be permitted for a limited amount of time.

(1)

It shall be unlawful for any person to allow a dog

Provisions for

leashed dogs

(a)

to roam freely in public roads; and

(b)

to induce harm to humans or other animals.

(2) Nothing in these regulations shall be construed to prohibit

or prevent a person from

(a)

walking a dog which is restrained by an adequate

collar while on a suitable leash held by the person walking it;

(b)

having a dog beside the person on a sidewalk or in

any other open space while restrained by an adequate collar and

leash

Provided that the person in charge of the dog is at all times

sitting or standing next to the dog which is so restrained.

Provided further that the ban on tethering or restraining a

dog shall not apply to guide dogs, dogs that are specifically trained to

carry out particular tasks, or any other dog during veterinary visits or

procedures and during training of dogs in designated training

facilities or sites including but not limited to military basis and police

depots subject to the restraint being limited to the reasonable amount

of time required for completion of the temporary task.

(1)

Transportation of dogs in any vehicle shall ensure

proper protective and safety measures so that, if a dog cannot sit

inside the vehicle properly and safely, it is only to be carried in the

back of a vehicle which

(a)

has adequate flooring for the dog to sit, stand or lie

down comfortably;

(b)

prevents the dog from leaping or falling off the

vehicle's side,

such measures shall apply throughout the duration of the voyage.

(2) No form of suffering shall be allowed to be inflicted on any

dog including using inadequate collars or the restraint of the dog in or

about an enclosure.

The provisions of these regulations shall in no way limit,

substitute or exclude the applicability and enforceability of any other

laws or regulations in force including provisions of the Act and

subsidiary legislation thereto.

Any person who contravenes these regulations shall, on

conviction, be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to the penalties

established in the Act.