A number of dog pounds throughout Ireland do not permit the re-homing of restricted breeds, eg Roscommon, Dublin, Donegal. Other pounds are unwilling to state whether they do or not permit rehoming.  All dogs should be treated equally; breed specific restrictions have serious ethical and welfare implications. Standards and kill rates vary significantly in pounds across Ireland.  Leitrim saved 100% of dogs while in Limerick killed 48% of dogs. 

We are calling for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and Dogs Trust Ireland to ACTIVELY work with the Department for the Environment and the Department of Agriculture to implement a welfare based policy in all pounds which permits the responsible re-homing of restricted dog breeds throughout Ireland (dog breeds listed under the Control of Dogs Act 1998 Regulations).

Every dog deserves a chance – irrespective of breed.