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Latest News Gildernew launches consultation on dog control
Latest News Gildernew launches consultation on dog control | Gildernew launches consultation on dog control |
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| Monday, 23 November 2009 | |
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23 November 2009 Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA today launched a public consultation on policy proposals for new dog control legislation. The new measures support responsible dog ownership by making the dog licensing regime more robust and effective. In 2008, almost 800 people were attacked by dogs and 59 were admitted to hospital. Last year some 8,000 stray dogs were impounded, 2,900 unwanted dogs collected and 3,500 dogs destroyed. To address these problems the Minister is considering new dog control measures which will include compulsory micro-chipping. Launching the consultation the Minister said: “It is clear that some aspects of existing legislation on the control of dogs have not had the desired effect and that we continue to have major problems with straying and dog attacks.“Micro-chipping is an integral aspect of responsible dog ownership. Any dog can stray and a micro-chipped dog is easier to return to its owner before it causes problems. My proposals also focus on prevention by allowing dog wardens to intervene at an early stage to add conditions to a dog licence where a dog’s behaviour has given cause for concern. I also propose to make it an offence to allow a dog to attack another dog.” The Minister noted that the dog licence fee had not changed since 1983: “I am proposing that the licence fee is increased in line with inflation to £12.50, but that a dog licence is free for older people and pegged to the current level for those on means tested benefits and for owners of neutered dogs.” The Minister added: “This consultation provides an important opportunity to improve dog control and I would urge all stakeholders to consider the issues and proposals carefully and give me their views.” The consultation can be accessed online at: http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/consultations/active-consultations.htm and will run until 1 February 2010.
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