The marketing campaign entitled, ‘It’s not your canine’s fault, it’s yours’, is geared toward growing consciousness of the “harm that out-of-control dogs can do to people and to livestock”.
The objective is to alter behaviour and to remind homeowners that they have to all the time have their canine below management.
Launching the marketing campaign, Minister Humphreys stated being a canine proprietor “is a privilege, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities”.
“We have seen far too many devastating attacks by dogs on people, especially young children, in recent times,” she stated.
“I know the majority of dog owners are responsible and do the right thing. But we can all be guilty of thinking our dog wouldn’t hurt a fly.
“No matter how harmless a dog might seem they can be capable of causing a lot of damage. Ultimately, as the campaign says: it’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours.
“Dog owners must make sure their dog is under control at all times, not running wild endangering people, livestock or other dogs.
“I want this campaign to make people think twice about letting their dog loose and uncontrolled.”
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue welcomed the marketing campaign, sharing his hope that it’ll encourage wider conversations on canine proprietor tasks.
“I really welcome this campaign. I know how traumatic dog attacks can be to people, especially children,” he stated.
“I am also acutely aware of the devastation done to livestock by marauding dogs, causing terrible suffering to the animals and both emotional and financial distress to farming families.
“I believe it is essential we have conversations about responsible dog ownership and illustrating the dangers of marauding dogs, protecting people and animals from dog attacks.
“Dogs are a great addition to a home and a family, but owners must provide for their welfare and wellbeing, taking their responsibilities seriously. Dog owners should ensure their dog has regular visits to the vet, good nutritious food and water, exercise and mental stimulation.
“I would like to encourage the many excellent charities working in the area of animal welfare, supported by my Department through the Animal Welfare Grants Programme, to leverage this campaign to share their own messages on responsible dog ownership.”
This marketing campaign follows carefully from a sequence of associated initiatives together with will increase in on-the-spot fines as much as €300, extra €2 million to help canine kilos and the institution of the Dog Control Stakeholder Group.
The stakeholder group was established by Minister Humphreys in March of this yr and is independently chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner Mr John Twomey.
The group features a broad vary of sectoral pursuits and consultants have been tasked with reviewing present coverage in relation to canine management and breeding institutions.
Mr Twomey stated: “The marketing campaign being launched immediately is a crucial step and only the start of quite a few measures we have to introduce to cut back assaults by uncontrolled dogs.
“The Independent stakeholder group that I chair has an formidable work plan and I want to thank them for his or her willingness to have interaction so totally with this necessary difficulty.
The media marketing campaign will run from Monday, April 22 till the top of May throughout radio, print, and on-line media.
