New legislation to tackle dog attacks

The NI Agriculture Minister is introducing new legislation to tackle dog attacks.

The new law includes compulsory micro chipping and will make it an offence to allow a dog to attack and injure another person's dog.

Michelle Gildernew said the legislation is aimed at promoting responsible ownership.

Following the Bill's introduction in the assembly, the minister said that "it is one of my key priorities".

"The current legislation is now more than 25 years old and while it has brought many improvements in dog control here, we continue to have problems with dog attacks, straying and unwanted dogs.

"I am determined to strengthen and improve the existing arrangements to tackle these issues and promote responsible ownership."

Ms Gildernew said: "The Bill will introduce compulsory microchipping, and will allow district council dog wardens to impose controls on dogs where there has been breach of dog control laws."

The Dogs (Amendment) Bill will update the Dogs (NI) Order 1983.