Gildernew progresses new Dog Control Bill at Executive

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has secured agreement from the Executive to her policy proposals for a new Dog Control Bill.

Following consultation on the proposals by DARD, the Executive agreed at Thursday’s meeting the final policy content of the proposed Dog Control Bill and that drafting of the Bill should begin.

Announcing the Executive endorsement, the Minister said: “This new dog control legislation is one of my key priorities. The current legislation is now more than 25 years old. While it has brought many improvements in dog control here, we continue to have significant problems of dog attacks, straying and unwanted dogs.

“I am determined to strengthen and improve the existing arrangements to tackle these issues and promote responsible ownership.”

The Minister added: “There was a very large response to the consultation and stakeholders expressed broad support for my proposals. These include compulsory micro-chipping, a new offence of a dog on dog attack, early intervention with problem dogs and an increase in the dog licence fee with appropriate concessions.

“I am also maintaining the prohibition on certain breeds of dangerous dogs and introducing further strict exemption conditions aimed specifically at protecting children.”

The Minister continued: “I will be working hard to ensure this Bill is introduced to the Assembly by June this year and becomes operational by mid 2011.

“When the new legislation is enacted here I believe that it will, taken in its entirety, be the strongest dog control legislation in these islands.”

Notes to editors:

1. The control of dogs is currently governed by the Dogs (NI) Order 1983. The legislation provides for licensing of dogs and includes provisions on dog attacks, straying and sheep worrying. The Dangerous Dogs (NI) Order 1991 amended the 1983 Order to designate certain types of dogs that it is an offence to possess, such as pit bull terriers. Further legislation that came into force in 2001 allows the owner of a dog that is the subject of a court destruction order to apply for an exemption from destruction. The exemption may be granted if the dog is not considered to be a danger and if certain strict conditions are met, including having the dog micro-chipped, neutered and insured.

2. The key proposals that were considered at the Executive meeting on 25 March include:

• compulsory micro-chipping of dogs;
• scope for dog wardens to attach conditions to a dog licence where a dog’s behaviour has given cause for concern;
• an increase in the dog licence fee to £12.50 in line with inflation (with concessionary rates for the elderly, those on benefits and owners of neutered dogs) so that councils can recover more of the cost of their dog warden services;
• a new offence of failing to prevent a dog from attacking and injuring another person’s dog;
• an increase in certain fines and penalties; and
• the strengthening of the strict exemption conditions under which a dog of a prohibited type might be exempted from the ban.

3. Public consultation on the proposals ended on 1 February and full details are available on the DARD website.  A summary of the comments received during the consultation will be made available on the Department’s website in due course.

4. A separate Defra consultation seeking views on possible changes to dog control law in England and Wales was published on 9 March 2010. The paper explores options for change to the Dogs Act 1871 and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, the main pieces of dog control legislation in England and Wales. The key issues discussed in the Defra paper include the introduction of Dog Control Notices, a requirement that all dogs are covered by third-party insurance and a requirement that all dogs, or puppies, are micro-chipped.

5. All media queries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4243. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.