Northern Ireland: Exempted certificate dog owners advised of updated conditions to 'enhance child safety'
Two updated requirements for anyone with an exemption certificate for a prohibited dog breed have been announced for Northern Ireland.
In line with steps being taken in England and Wales, from 1 November, dog owners must not allow a child under the age of 12 to be left in close proximity to a prohibited breed type dog in a home or other private setting without adult supervision.
This measure, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) explained, is intended to help reduce the risk of serious incidents involving children.
The new safeguard aims to reduce the risk of serious injury to children in domestic environments, while allowing exempted dogs to remain with families where appropriate supervision is in place.
As with other conditions of exemption, failure to comply with this requirement may result in enforcement action. This can include seizure of the dog and potential prosecution, in line with existing powers under the Dogs Order (Northern Ireland) 1983.
Further updated guidance will be published by the Department in advance of the new requirement coming into effect.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, stated: “Restrictions on prohibited breeds are essential for public safety, that is why I introduced these measures for XL Bully type dogs in 2024. The evidence was clear that these animals posed a greater risk to people and other animals when compared to other breeds.
“To enhance child safety, I now plan to introduce similar steps being taken in England and Wales from 1 November prohibiting a child under the age of 12 to be left in close proximity to a prohibited breed type dog in a home or other private setting without adult supervision.
"Although this legal requirement only applies to prohibited breed-types, any dog can pose a risk in certain situations. Owners should be reminded of guidance that young children should always be supervised around all dogs.”
The five types designated as restricted breeds in Northern Ireland are:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- XL Bully
In addition, DAERA has also announced owners will no longer be required, from July 1, to have third party liability insurance as part of the conditions to obtain an exemption certificate. This is in line with steps being taken in all other UK jurisdictions and aligns with the current requirements in the Republic of Ireland.
Councils, which are responsible for dog control enforcement in the province, will be in contact with prohibited breed owners directly in the coming weeks with updated exemption certificates.
All other conditions attached to an exemption certificate remain in place, and owners must continue to comply with these requirements. Owners do not need to take any additional action as result of the changes.
The conditions that remain attached to an exemption certificate are:
- The dog is neutered
- The dog is kept leashed and muzzled when in a public place
- When not in a public place, the dog is in sufficiently secure conditions
- The dog is made available to council dog wardens for inspection
- The council is notified of any change of address of the dog, or of the death or export of the dog.