New Dog Legislation

Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

Link: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2011/9/contents

Overview

The Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 amends the Dogs (NI) Order 1983 which is the primary statute relating to licensing and dog control generally.

Impact upon Council

District councils are responsible for enforcing the Dogs Order, and have established dog warden services to carry out enforcement duties including dog licensing, the seizure and re-homing or disposal of stray dogs, and the investigation and possible prosecution of offences under the Dogs Order. Income from the dog licence meets a small proportion of the cost of dog warden services.

The Dogs (Amendment) Act (NI) 2011 :

• Increases licence fees from 3rd October 2011
• A dog licence has been increased from £5 to £12.50 for most dog owners – this is in line with inflation from 1983.
• To reduce the impact of this rise, a dog licence for those aged 65 and over is free for the first dog and pegged at the current fee of £5 for each additional dog.
• Concessionary rates - There is a reduction in the licensing fee to £5 for those on “income-related benefits” - the qualifying benefits within the new Dogs (Amendment) Act are income support and housing benefit and Councils can only act within the limits of the legislation.
• £5 for dogs that are neutered, as an incentive to responsible dog ownership.
• £32 for block licence is up from £12.50. This is three or more dogs kept on the same premises – 3 unsterilized bitches and one of them is used for breeding or the premises are registered guard dog kennels, or three dogs are registered to Kennel Club; Irish Coursing Club; Masters of Harriers and Beagles Association; Northern Ireland Masters of Hounds Association; and the International Sheep Dog Society.
• make micro chipping a condition of the licence - We would advise all dog owners to microchip their animals as soon as possible prior to the introduction of compulsory microchipping in April 2010. Owners may currently take advantage of free chipping provided through Councils, the Dogs Trust and participating veterinary practices.
• introduce a new offence of dog attacks on domestic animals
• provide for the designation of specified control conditions on licences where there are breaches of the Dogs Order
• allow councils to set levels of fixed penalties for dog related offences such as straying and not having a licence
• allow district councils to retain the receipts from fixed penalties but only for its functions under the Dogs Order
• allow the courts to make a “contingent destruction order” which exempts the dog from destruction but only where certain specified conditions are met.