Ireland is banning the breeding of fighting dogs of the American XL bully breed, following a fatal attack on a British woman last spring and a nine-year-old boy last year.
From October 1, it will be illegal to import, breed or sell XL bully dogs born in Ireland. Current owners of the breed must neuter their dogs to obtain an exemption permit to keep them.
Those who violate the rules face fines of up to 2,500 euro.
The British government banned the breed last year in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland and Scotland followed shortly after.
