The dog control unit at the Department of Community and Rural Affairs has proposed being transferred to the Department of Agriculture.

Documents seen by the Irish Farmers Journal for Minister for Community and Rural Affairs Heather Humphreys show a proposal to transfer the unit.

The Department is responsible for dog control, which includes dog control policy and legislation, and publishes annual statistics on the local authority dog warden service, strays and unwanted animals, dog licences, enforcement action, operation of local authority dog pounds and dog breeding establishments.

“The unit also proposes to open discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the transfer of dog control functions to that department, in view of the link with their animal health and welfare functions,” the documents read.

The unit had a budget of €100,000 in 2020.

No engagement

The department “has had no engagement recently” with the Department of Agriculture in relation to the transfer of dog control functions to that department, a spokesperson for the Department of Community said.

“However, both departments work closely together to ensure a co-ordinated approach is taken in the area of dog control."