Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland)

Power of resident magistrate to order destruction of certain dogs

2.—(1) In Article 25C(3) of the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 (NI 8) (power of resident magistrate to order destruction of dog seized under that Article), for the words from “he may order” to the end there shall be substituted the following words

“—

(a) if the dog is one to which Article 25A applies, the resident magistrate shall order that unless the dog is exempted from the prohibition in paragraph (3) of that Article within the period of two months beginning with the date of the order the dog shall be destroyed;

(b) if the dog is not one to which Article 25A applies, the resident magistrate may order the destruction of the dog and shall do so unless he is satisfied that the dog is not a danger to the public.”.

(2) Where an order is made under sub-paragraph (a) of Article 25C(3), Part III of the Dangerous Dogs Compensation and Exemption Schemes Order (Northern Ireland) 1991 (SR No. 466) shall have effect as if—

(a) any reference to 30th November 1991 were a reference to the expiration of the period of two months beginning with the date on which the order under that sub-paragraph is made; and

(b) the fee payable to the district council were a fee of such amount as the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development may by order made subject to negative resolution prescribe.