The Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983

Issue of dog licences N.I.

6.—(1) Dog licences shall be issued by district councils for dogs kept by persons resident in their districts.

(2) An application for a dog licence shall be in such form as may be prescribed.

(3) A dog licence shall be in such form as may be prescribed and shall, unless suspended, remain in force for such period as may be prescribed.

(4) Where a dog dies and the holder of the dog licence intends to become the keeper of another dog ( “the new dog”) before that licence has expired, he may, before taking possession of the new dog, return that licence to the district council by which it was issued and that council shall issue to him a certificate ( “a transfer certificate”) showing that the licence has been transferred so as to have effect in relation to the new dog.

(5) A transfer certificate shall be in such form as may be prescribed.

(6) A transfer certificate shall remain in force for the remainder of the period for which the dog licence is unexpired and shall be deemed to be part of the licence.

[F1 (7) A district council shall not—

(a) issue a dog licence in respect of a dog, or

(b) issue a transfer certificate in respect of a new dog,

unless that dog has been microchipped; and any licence or transfer certificate purporting to be issued in respect of a dog which has not been microchipped is void.

(8) For the purposes of paragraph (7) a dog is microchipped if (and only if)—

(a) a microchip has been implanted in the dog before the coming into operation of section 2(1) of the Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011; or

(b) a microchip is implanted in the dog in accordance with regulations under Article 31(1)(f).

(9) Paragraph (7) does not apply if the keeper of the dog produces to the council a certificate signed by a veterinary surgeon to the effect that implantation (or continued implantation) of a microchip in the dog would have an adverse effect on the health of the dog.]

[F2 (10) A district council shall not—

(a) issue a dog licence in respect of a dog to which Article 25A applies, or

(b) issue a transfer certificate in respect of such a dog,

unless the dog is exempted from the prohibition in Article 25A(3).]

F1 Art. 6(7)-(9) added (9.4.2012) by Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 9), ss. 2(1), 18(1); S.R. 2012/131, art. 2

F2 Art. 6(10) inserted (28.7.2011) by Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 9), ss. 3(2), 18(1); S.R. 2011/281, art. 2, Sch.