The Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983

Miscellaneous N.I.

Regulation with respect to dogs N.I.

31.—(1) Regulations may—

(a) prescribe and regulate the muzzling of dogs and the keeping of dogs under control;

(b) prescribe and regulate the wearing by dogs of a collar with the name and address of the keeper of the dog inscribed on the collar on a plate or badge attached to the collar;

(c) in addition to sub-paragraph (b), prescribe and regulate other means of the identification of dogs;

(d) prescribe and regulate the wearing by dogs of discs or other means of licence identification attached to the collar;

(e) make provision for the issue of such licence identification by district councils.

[F1 (f) prescribe and regulate the microchipping of dogs and regulate the reading of any microchip implanted in a dog.]

[F2 (1A) Regulations under paragraph (1)(f) may in particular provide—

(a) for the use of microchipping as a means of—

(i) identification of a dog and its keeper;

(ii) licence identification;

(b) for conferring powers on officers in connection with such identification;

(c) that a dog is microchipped for the purposes of Article 6(7) if (and only if)—

(i) the microchip is of a prescribed class or description or of a class or description approved by a prescribed body or person;

(ii) the microchip is implanted in the dog by a person of a prescribed class or description;

(iii) any prescribed conditions in relation to the keeping and making available to councils of information in connection with the use of the microchip as mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) are satisfied; and

(iv) any other prescribed conditions are satisfied.]

(2) Any person contravening any provision of regulations made under this Article shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £200.

F1 Art. 31(1)(f) inserted (9.4.2012) by Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 9), ss. 2(2), 18(1); S.R. 2012/131, art. 2

F2 Art. 31(1A) inserted (9.4.2012) by Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 9), ss. 2(3), 18(1); S.R. 2012/131, art. 2

Art. 32 rep. by SR 2003/495