To the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Houses of the Oireachtas:

​We, the undersigned, call for an immediate review of the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 with the specific goal of removing the Doberman Pinscher from the restricted breed list. Furthermore, we urge the government to move away from ineffective Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) in favor of a "Deed not Breed" approach that emphasizes responsible ownership and individual dog behavior.

​Why this matters:

​The current restricted list requires Dobermans to be muzzled in public and kept on a short lead (under 2 meters) by a person over 16 years of age at all times. We believe these restrictions are counterproductive for the following reasons:

​Ineffectiveness of BSL: Scientific research from the ISPCA, the British Veterinary Association, and various international experts shows that breed-specific bans do not reduce the frequency of dog bites.

​Welfare Concerns: Constant muzzling and lead restrictions can hinder a dog's ability to pant, communicate, and socialize properly, which can lead to increased frustration and anxiety—the very traits the law intends to prevent.

​The "Deed not Breed" Philosophy: Public safety is best served by holding owners accountable for their dogs' actions. Focus should be placed on education, socialization, and penalizing irresponsible owners, regardless of the breed they own.

​The Doberman’s Role: The Doberman Pinscher is a highly intelligent, trainable, and loyal working breed. When raised by responsible owners, they are stable family companions and service animals. They should not be stigmatized based on their appearance or outdated stereotypes.

​Our Request:

​We ask the Department of Rural and Community Development to:

​Remove the Doberman Pinscher from the list of breeds subject to additional restrictions.

​Conduct a formal review of the Control of Dogs Regulations to evaluate the effectiveness of the entire restricted list.

​Invest in public education and enforcement of existing laws regarding dog control and owner responsibility.

Official data shows that dog bite hospitalizations have increased since Dobermans were restricted, proving that breed-specific bans are not working.

​Peer-reviewed Irish research indicates that the majority of bites come from non-restricted, popular breeds, highlighting that the current list is arbitrary.