The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has called for a ban on the breed of dog which killed a five-year-old girl in Britain.
Ellie Lawrenson bled to death after being mauled by a pit bull terrier in Merseyside on New Year's Day. Her grandmother was seriously injured in the attack.
The girl's uncle, who owned the dog, now faces possible prosecution as pit bulls are banned in the UK under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Such a ban is not in operation in Ireland, where three types of pit bulls are subject to the Control of Dogs Regulations.
The regulations demand only somebody over 16 should accompany such dogs in public and they should always be in a muzzle and on a short leash in public.
However, the ISPCA says the regulations are a "blunt instrument" which are difficult to enforce and do not go far enough in the case of pit bulls.
ISPCA general manager Mark Beasley said: "We would be in favour of a ban on pit bull terriers because we cannot endorse the ownership of them as companion animals. We have serious concerns in particular about American pit bulls and any cross-breeds from it. They are primarily bred as fighting dogs. It's in their genes.
"No matter how well somebody claims they can control a pit bull, the evidence - and that unfortunate incident in the UK shows - is that they are unpredictable and difficult to control."
In 2003, the ISPCA was involved in bringing a case for animal cruelty against five men who were later found guilty after being involved in organising a dog fight between two pit bull terriers in Co Kildare.
Mr Beasley said there had been a marked increase in the breed in urban areas of Dublin and Limerick. "The evidence we have from dog wardens on the ground is that they are a popular breed in certain areas where they are regarded as a status symbol."
In the North, the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) has said local authorities should consider an amnesty similar to one introduced by Ballymena City Council this week. Owners of prohibited dogs have been given until the end of January in Ballymena to hand in their animals without being prosecuted.
The amnesty was introduced after a family was attacked by a pit bull-type dog in the town last November. Since the amnesty was introduced, 14 owners have surrendered their pets and two pit bulls have been destroyed.
David Wilson from the USPCA said: "Something has to be done. We are trying to get at people involved in dog fights."
