Owners of dogs who disturb livestock could face bans and fines under new proposals

Ireland’s new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy has committed to examining possible changes to the Dog Control Act, including a new provision allowing for the introduction of Dog Control Notices (DCNs).

She has also pledged to explore the potential for new regulations specifically addressing the offense of concern for livestock and the fines associated with it.

The new strategy also commits to ensuring that the needs of landowners and the outdoor recreation industry are addressed in proposed amendments to the Occupier Liability Act, which aim to rebalance duty of care between occupiers and occupiers and introduce voluntary risk-taking.

The new laws limit the circumstances in which a court can hold the occupant of a property liable if a person has entered the property to commit a crime; and will also consider broader circumstances where it can be shown that a visitor or recreational user has voluntarily taken a risk.

Caillin Conneely, Chair of IFA Hill Farming, said after the launch of the new strategy that it was a positive first step in addressing landowners’ concerns about access to land for recreational purposes.

“Recreational activities can bring tremendous economic benefits to rural communities. However, the role of the landowner should not be compromised compared to those who have access to private land for recreational use. Without the consent of private landowners, users would not have access to these spaces for recreation,” he said.

At a meeting with the IFA, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys announced plans to expand the Walks program to 150 trails, but was said no funding to facilitate the expansion had yet been outlined.

The hiking program was previously expanded to 80 trails after adding 31 new trails. This would bring the total number of farmers and landowners involved in the program to 2,400.