The incoming ban on XL Bully dogs will not address the root causes leading to dog attacks, according to the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA).
The ban, announced last week by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys, will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully dogs.
The new regulations are due to come into effect in two phases, starting from 1 October.
DSPCA CEO Pat Watt said that experience in other countries has shown that bans are ineffective in reducing dog attacks.
He said: "They do not address the root causes of dog-related incidents which include irresponsible dog ownership, cruelty, lack of education and training on responsible dog ownership, and inadequate enforcement of existing regulations.
"A ban also unfairly stereotypes certain breeds, and can create a misconception that for example, all bull breeds and crossbreeds are inherently dangerous which is simply not true."
Upon announcing the new regulations, Minister Humphreys said she feared attacks by XL bully dogs "will become more frequent" if action is not taken.
She said the ban was announced to protect public safety.
Last month, 23-year-old Nicole Morey died after being attacked by an XL bully dog at her Co Limerick home.
The DSPCA argued that any blanket ban would mainly target responsible owners who are "not the problem".
It could also drive illegal breeding practices and lead to new hybrid breeds replacing XL bullies, they said.
Read more: Call for clarity on how XL bully ban will be enforced
Mr Watt called on Minister Humphreys to engage with animal welfare organisations and to allow them to re-home XL Bully dogs under specific criteria after 1 October.
The new regulations would prohibit re-homing.
The DSPCA did, however, support enhanced restrictions in relation to XL Bully dogs.
These include a ban on breeding and importation of XL Bully types with immediate effect.
They also called for better enforcement of existing legislation and clarity on the definition of an XL Bully.
