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.
F1Art. 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
F2Art. 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