The Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

Certificate of exemption

7.  A certificate of exemption must—

(a) contain a unique number or a unique combination of letters and figures;

(b) contain information to identify—

(i) the keeper or the rehoming organisation;

(ii) the dog; and

(iii) the premises at which the dog is living.

(c) require the keeper—

(i) to keep the dog at the same premises as the keeper except for any 30 days in any 12 month period; and

(ii) to notify the district council of any proposed change of premises at which the dog is kept (other than in respect of any change of premises in the 30 days referred to in sub-paragraph (i)).

(d) require a rehoming organisation—

(i) to ensure that the dog lives in the premises specified in the certificate at all times, except where it is relocated from those premises to other premises in the event of a fire or other emergency;

(ii) where, in the event of a fire or other emergency, the dog is relocated from the premises specified in the certificate to other premises, to notify the district council in writing of the change of premises and the address of the premises to which the dog has been relocated;

(e) include the conditions listed at sub-paragraphs (i)-(ix)—

(i) to notify the district council of the death or export of the dog;

(ii) to satisfy the district council that a policy of third-party insurance compliant with Article 8 is in force;

(iii) to keep the dog muzzled and on a lead when in a public place;

(iv) to keep the dog in sufficiently secure conditions to prevent its escape;

(v) to provide access to the dog for the purposes of reading a microchip on request by an officer;

(vi) to produce to an officer confirmation that a policy of third-party insurance compliant with Article 8 is in force within five days of being requested to do so by that officer;

(vii) to produce to an officer the certificate of exemption within five days of being requested to do so by that officer;

(viii) to satisfy the district council that the requirement in Article 9 has been met in respect of the dog; and

(ix) where applicable, to satisfy the district council that the requirements in Article 10 have been met in respect of the dog.