Consultation on proposals for changes to dog control legislation

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has taken views on proposals for changes to the legislation governing dogs and dog control issues here. This consultation closed on 1 February 2010.

The proposals would amend the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 to enhance the system of dog licensing, make micro-chipping of dogs compulsory and make it an offence to allow a dog to attack another dog.

The proposals would also increase the cost of a dog licence, with concessions for older people and for those with neutered dogs, and increase fines and penalties for certain offences under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983

Responses from stakeholders, and the Department's response to stakeholders, can be found by following the links on the right. The Dogs (Amendment) Bill, based on the consultation proposals and stakeholder's responses to them, is currently before the Assembly.

The consultation document and other key documents including the consultation response form are still available by following the links below.