The Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983

Regulation with respect to dogs N.I.

31.—(1) Regulations may—

(a) prescribe and regulate the muzzling of dogs and the keeping of dogs under control;

(b) prescribe and regulate the wearing by dogs of a collar with the name and address of the keeper of the dog inscribed on the collar on a plate or badge attached to the collar;

(c) in addition to sub-paragraph (b), prescribe and regulate other means of the identification of dogs;

(d) prescribe and regulate the wearing by dogs of discs or other means of licence identification attached to the collar;

(e) make provision for the issue of such licence identification by district councils.

[F1 (f) prescribe and regulate the microchipping of dogs and regulate the reading of any microchip implanted in a dog.]

[F2 (1A) Regulations under paragraph (1)(f) may in particular provide—

(a) for the use of microchipping as a means of—

(i) identification of a dog and its keeper;

(ii) licence identification;

(b) for conferring powers on officers in connection with such identification;

(c) that a dog is microchipped for the purposes of Article 6(7) if (and only if)—

(i) the microchip is of a prescribed class or description or of a class or description approved by a prescribed body or person;

(ii) the microchip is implanted in the dog by a person of a prescribed class or description;

(iii) any prescribed conditions in relation to the keeping and making available to councils of information in connection with the use of the microchip as mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) are satisfied; and

(iv) any other prescribed conditions are satisfied.]

(2) Any person contravening any provision of regulations made under this Article shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £200.

F1 Art. 31(1)(f) inserted (9.4.2012) by Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 9), ss. 2(2), 18(1); S.R. 2012/131, art. 2

F2 Art. 31(1A) inserted (9.4.2012) by Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 9), ss. 2(3), 18(1); S.R. 2012/131, art. 2