Dog Control Service

Owning a dog involves both responsibilities as well as pleasures.  Our Dog Control Service promotes responsible dog ownership through a balanced programme of education and enforcement. 

Responsible Dog Ownership Campaign

Irresponsible dog ownership still ranks as a highly emotive issue among many people within the Council area, with seldom a week going by without some reference by the media about stray dogs, attacks on people, dog fights, dog fouling, barking dogs and unfortunately an alarming increase in the number of cruelty cases.  The Council Dog Wardens have been committed to tackling this problem through education initiatives and where necessary enforcement.  Over 148 fixed penalties were issued for various types of irresponsible dog ownership in the last financial year.

Community and schools presentations are proving to be an effective way of increasing people’s awareness of what responsible dog ownership entails.  Children are also taught how to stay safe around strange dogs.  Building on the continued success of joint presentations and workshops with the Dogs Trust to primary schools, 20 educational talks will be carried out this year.  In addition Dog Wardens will also be participating in the annual 3-day Youth Educated in Safety (YES) Programme, in which over 800 children from primary schools throughout the council area attend.  The Dog Wardens will also engage with community organisations to determine if they wish to avail of education talks.

Dog Licence:   It is a legal requirement to licence your dog.  We issue single dog licences and block dog licences.

Dog Straying:  Don’t ever let your stray.  Stray and unwanted dogs are collected and taken to our Council Dog Shelter.

Dog Fouling:  Always carry a poop scoop when out with your dog and clean up after it!   We respond to complaints of dog fouling and offer advice for dog owners.

Dog Shelter (Re-homing):  We make every effort to responsibly re-home healthy unclaimed stray dogs and unwanted dogs from our Council Dog Shelter.  In partnership with the Dogs Trust we are able to microchip your dog for free and also offer a free neutering voucher with every dog re-homed.

Dangerous Dogs:  There are four types of dangerous dogs which are illegal in Northern Ireland.  A dog attack can range from the “apprehension of attack” to a serious injury.  We provide advice on how to deal with an dangerous dog.

Neutering: Neutering is a simple operation that prevents male and female dogs from reproducing.  This prevents unwanted litters and significantly reduces dog straying. 

Microchipping: Microchipping ensures that your dog can be easily identified if lost and returned to you.

Caring For Your Dog:  We provide advice on how to care for your dog.

Dog Barking:  Do not allow your dog to bark constantly, a well trained dog is NOT one that barks at everyone and everything. Call us if you have a problem with your dog barking or if you wish to make a complaint about a barking dog.

 

Contact

Micheal Duddy   
Kennel Supervisor/Dog Warden 
Tel: 028 71 261414   

Malachy Duddy
Dog Warden
Tel: 028 71365151
 

Links

www.dardni.gov.uk
www.dogstrust.org.uk
www.uspca.co.uk