Welfare of Animals Enforcement Roles
WELFARE OF ANIMALS ACT (NI) 2011
ANIMAL WELFARE ENFORCEMENT ROLES FROM 2 APRIL 2012
The enforcement roles are as follows:-
- DARD - in respect of farmed animals (defined as any animal bred or kept for the production of food, wool or skin or for other farming purposes). Licensing of riding establishments, boarding kennels, pet shops and zoos and enforcement of any welfare issues within these premises.
DARD Contact Points:
During office hours - Monday to Friday 9am-5pm telephone - 0300 200 7840
Weekends – contact a local Private Veterinary Practice or local police station who will, as necessary, refer the welfare complaint to the relevant DARD “on call” officer.
- COUNCILS - in respect of other (non-farmed) animals i.e. domestic pets of any vertebrate species and equines (eg horses and donkeys etc).
Council Contact Points: Belfast - 028 90 270431
Eastern Area (Ards, Castlereagh, Down, Lisburn and North Down Councils) - 028 90 494567
Northern Area (Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Cookstown, Larne, Magherafelt, Moyle and Newtownabbey Councils)
028 25 660412
Southern Area (Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Dungannon and Newry and Mourne Councils) - 028 37 515800
Western Area (Derry, Fermanagh, Limavady, Omagh and Strabane Councils) - 028 82 256226
Out of hours – contact the regional number above and the call will be diverted to an answering service.
- PSNI – in respect of wild animals and animal fighting issues.
PSNI Contact Points:
Local police station on 0845 600 8000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
