Control of Dogs Act, 1986

Amendment of Protection of Animals Act, 1911.

20.—(1) Section 1 of the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 , (as amended by section 4 of the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1965 ) is hereby amended by the deletion in subsection (1) of all words from “such person shall be guilty” to the end of the subsection and the substitution therefor of the following:

“such person shall be guilty of an offence of cruelty within the meaning of this Act and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof—

(i) in respect of a first or a second offence to a fine not exceeding £500, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or, at the discretion of the Court, to both such fine and such imprisonment;

(ii) in respect of a third or any subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding £500, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or, at the discretion of the Court, to both such fine and such imprisonment.”.

(2) The Minister for Agriculture may by regulations vary the maximum amount of the fine specified in section 1 (as amended by this Act) of the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 .

(3) Where regulations are proposed to be made under subsection (2) of this section, a draft of the regulations shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the regulations shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each such House.