DOG LICENSING

Every dog owner must have a licence for a dog.

To obtain a dog licence, you can:

Visit Ards Borough Council's Offices at 2 Church Street, Newtownards, complete a dog licence application form and submit it along with the appropriate fee to the Council staff at reception.
Complete the online application form.
Telephone the Council offices on 028 9182 4005 and pay by credit or debit card.
Sign the appropriate section on the reverse of your dog licence renewal letter and submit it with the appropriate fee by post or in person to Ards Borough Council's Offices at 2 Church Street, Newtownards

New Dog Legislation
The rules for owning and keeping dogs have changed in Northern Ireland, as a result of new legislation (Dogs (Amendment) Act (NI) 2011). So how will the changes affect dog owners?

Dog Licences
Every dog must have a licence and this has not changed, but the cost of a dog licence increased in some cases from October 2011. The fees for different types of licence are given in the table below.

From March 2012 onwards, when you apply to renew your dog licence, you must also show that your dog has been microchipped. 'Microchipping' involves having an identification tag inserted painlessly into your dog, making the job of returning pets to their owners much easier should they stray or get lost.

New Dog Licence Fees

Licence Fee Category	Cost
Any 'assistance dog' will be exempt	£0
Over 65s First Dog	£0
Over 65s Subsequent Dogs	£5
Concessionary rate for owners on Income Support and Housing Benefit	£5
Any dog which is neutered	£5
Normal licence	£12.50
Block licence (qualifying conditions apply)	£32.00

For further information contact the Borough Inspector's Office, Tel: 028 9182 4005, E: Borough Inspector