Changes to dog licensing announced
Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill today announced some changes to dog licensing requirements, by introducing the Dogs (Licensing and Identification) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.
From 1st January 2015, the amended regulations will make microchipping the sole method of identification of dogs.
The coloured licence tags issued by Councils will be discontinued.
Minister O’Neill said, “Microchipping of your dog is a compulsory part of dog licensing and following consultation with council chief executives, it was agreed to discontinue with the coloured tag, issued with a dog licence or upon licence renewal.
“Dog owners must still ensure that their name and address is inscribed on the dog’s collar or on a plate or badge attached to it. This requirement remains in place.”
The new regulations also require dog owners to ensure that their contact information on the microchip databases is kept up to date, for example when the dog owner changes address or telephone number.
The Minister added, “These measures are to ensure responsible dog ownership and so that you are quickly reunited with your dog should it go missing.
“To facilitate the updating of microchip details requirement, I am delighted to announce that Dogs Trust, in conjunction with local councils, will be launching a campaign to assist dog owners here to update their contact details on microchip databases for free.
“Dates and venues will be advertised in the local media in early 2015. I would encourage dog owners to take advantage of Dog Trust’s generous offer to update their contact details on microchip databases for free,” she added.
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Posted by Newry Times News
on Dec 16 2014. Filed under Community, Politics.
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Like to ask Minister O Neill what legal redress do responsible dog owners have when malicious false accusations are levelled against them using up council resources and manpower? At the moment none! I contend that if a person makes unfounded accusations against a responsible dog owner with claims of neglect they should forfeit their rights to anonomity thus leaving the dog owner the right to seek legal action against these malicious liars as having welfare cruelty at your door is extremely stressful causing grave anxiety!