Awareness campaign launched to highlight the responsibilities of dog owners

A major national awareness campaign to remind dog owners of their responsibilities has been launched.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Martin Heydon launched the ‘It’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours’ campaign today. It is aimed at highlighting the responsibility of dog owners and addressing the harm that uncontrolled dogs can do to people and livestock.

Launching the campaign, Minister Calleary said in the vast majority of cases, dog owners are very responsible, care greatly for their dogs and do their best to ensure they are kept under control.

“The problem is that some dog owners think their dog can do no harm,” he said. “The harsh reality is that, occasionally, uncontrolled dogs cause serious harm to children, livestock and other dogs in towns and villages across the country.

“The goal of this campaign is to promote responsible ownership and make sure everyone is clear about their legal requirements.

“Dog owners must be aware that if your dog injures people or animals, you are responsible. The main message here is: ‘your dog is your responsibility.’” 

Minister Heydon said the campaign aims to make people think twice about letting their dog loose and uncontrolled.

“We have to remember that dog owners have serious responsibilities in every setting, but a particular focus is needed in rural areas where we are currently in lambing season,” he said.

“The harm that out-of-control dogs can do to sheep and lambs is financially and emotionally devastating for farm families.

“There can be zero tolerance for people who do not keep their dogs under proper control.” 

This campaign follows closely from a series of other initiatives. These include increases in on-the-spot fines up to €300;an additional €2 million to support dog pounds in 2023 and a further €2 million in 2024; the introduction of regulations to ban XL Bully type dogs in 2024; and the recruitment of up to 40 additional dog wardens this year.

The campaign will run from 24th March 2025 until 20th April 2025 across radio, podcasts, print, out of home, and online media.