The Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 makes provision for the licensing of dogs. Article 52 of the Order requires Councils to provide information relating to the operating of the Order as required by DAERA.

Background

This information is provided by Councils on a quarterly basis, collated and held by DAERA. It is then referred to by Councils and DAERA when providing responses to dog related information requests from the media, the public and animal welfare stakeholders.

The statistics provide information on a wide range of topics for example: dog licences, complaints regarding stray dogs, dog attacks and dog warden enforcement actions.

The statistics will be published on a quarterly basis, starting 2 October 2017, with the first quarter of 2017/18 (for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017).

This proposal was agreed on 18 January 2017 at the Animal Welfare Council Project Board, which is made up of representatives from the Councils and DAERA. It has also been noted and accepted by the Councils’ Northern Ireland Dog Advisory Group (NIDAG), which represents Council dog wardens.

Any enquiries regarding the content of the statistics should be made to the relevant Council area.

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