Almost 200 dogs put to death in Limavady

Across Northern Ireland, there were 6,759 destroyed in the same period. The figures were released by Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill, who also gave some insight into the legislation behind dog control in Northern Ireland.

In 2009, 57 dogs were destroyed in the Limavady council area, followed by 53 in 2010 and 43 in 2011. From January to September 2012, a further 35 dogs were destroyed.

In the Derry City Council area, 170 dogs were destroyed in 2009, 178 the following year, 150 in 2011 and 79 from January to September 2012. There were 164 dogs destroyed in Coleraine from 2009 to September 2012.

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill had been asked for the figure by North Down MLA Alex Easton.

Ms O’Neill also outlined the legislation governing the control of dogs in Northern Ireland: “Dog control is legislated for here by the Dogs Order 1983, as amended by the Dogs (Amendment) Act 2011. The Councils enforce this legislation and provide statistics to my Department regarding its operation on a quarterly basis. We are currently awaiting Council returns for the final quarter of 2012 and so do not as yet have complete statistics for that year.”

She added that the figures “include the total number of stray and unwanted dogs destroyed by Councils and destruction orders issued by Courts following dog attacks on people or animals for the

three complete calendar years 2009 – 2011 and for the period running from 1 January – 30 September 2012.”

The Minister continued: “Changes implemented by the Dogs (Amendment) Act 2011 necessitated a review of the statistical information my Department required from the Councils. From April 2012 Councils have been collating statistics on the number of dogs of a banned type (e.g. pit-bull terriers) that have been humanely destroyed. So, in addition to the figures set out in the tables above I can advise that two dogs of a banned type have been humanely destroyed by Coleraine Borough Council and one by Lisburn City Council between 1 April 2012 and 30 September 2012.”