Dog Control FAQs

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Your City Council

DOG CONTROL

 

DOG LICENCING

Where can you obtain a dog licence?

How much does a dog licence cost?

 

DOG STRAYING

Is dog straying a problem in Lisburn?

What Becomes of a stray dog?

How Can I Help Strays?

What are the opening hours of the Lisburn City Council Dog Kennels?

Does the Council rehome dogs?

 

DOG FOULING

What can be done about dog fouling?

Can owners be punished for failing to clean up after their dog?

What does the Council do to address the problem of dog fouling?

 

DOG LICENCING

Where can you obtain a dog licence?

If you own a dog you must have a dog licence.  If you live within the Lisburn City Council area you should obtain a licence from the Environmental Health Unit.

You can obtain it in person, or request an application form by post by telephoning 028 9250 9395 or to apply for a dog licence online, please click here.

How much does a dog licence cost?

The cost of a dog licence is £12.50 or if you have more than three dogs and you meet certain criteria you may apply for a block licence costing £32.  A breeder’s licence is also available for breeding establishments. 

For anyone over the age of 65 the first dog licence is free and licences for additional dogs are £5.

If you receive income support or housing benefit you are also entitled to a £5 licence.

If your dog is sterilised you are also entitled to a £5 licence

 

DOG STRAYING

Is dog straying a problem in Lisburn?

Lisburn faces a huge problem with stray and unwanted dogs roaming its streets.  So why do so many dogs end up dumped on the streets or in the Council’s kennels?  The most likely reasons appear to be:

  • dogs are bought as presents for people who are not fully committed dog owners;
  • parents buy their children a puppy but the child soon loses interest and the parents do not want the responsibility for looking after it;
  • a particular breed is bought without prior research into its characteristics.  Care problems arise when the dog becomes too much of a handful and is then abandoned;
  • some owners believe the dog has developed incurable behaviour problems, however, in reality most behavioural problems can be overcome;
  • dogs are not fitted with any means of identification so they cannot be traced back to their owners; and
  • dogs are not neutered which leads to unwanted puppies, which are then abandoned.

What Becomes of a stray dog?

The first thing a Dog Warden will do if he finds a stray dog is to try and identify its owner.  If the dog is microchipped or wearing an identity tag, this is not a problem, but unfortunately, most dogs picked up by the Council do not have a means of identification.

The Council’s Dog Warden Service takes unidentified dogs to its Dog Kennels on the Altona Road, Lisburn.

Most people think of a stray dog as one without a home.  This is not the case.  The Dogs (NI) Order 1983 describes a stray dog as any dog that is not on its owner’s property and not accompanied by any person.  The Dog Warden can seize any straying dog and impound it until the owner can be traced.

How Can I Help Strays?

If you find a stray dog, contact the Council’s Dog Wardens on 028 9250 9395 and they will arrange to collect the dog from you.

If you really want a dog of your own why not rehome a dog by contacting our Dog Wardens.

What are the opening hours of the Lisburn City Council Dog Kennels?

Lisburn City Council’s dog kennels are used for stray and unwanted dogs that are kept there until reclaimed, rehomed or humanely destroyed.

The opening hours are Monday – Friday 12.30pm – 2.30pm

or by an appointment between 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday - Friday.

Does the Council rehome dogs?

Lisburn City Council actively seeks to rehome any dogs that are not reclaimed or any unwanted dogs that are brought to the kennels by their owners.  If you could give a dog a good home please do not hesitate to contact the Dog Wardens on 028 9250 9395. 

 

DOG FOULING

What can be done about dog fouling?

Are you fed up with dog mess on the street or in the park?  How many times have you or your child walked in it?  How many times have you complained to friends, family or local organisation?  The situation doesn’t improve.

Under the Litter Order (NI) 1994 it is illegal for anyone in charge of a dog not to clean up after the animal.  All dog faeces must be removed from public places.

Dog fouling is a complex and emotive issue.  Look in any local newspaper and you will see a catalogue of complaints.  Many will direct their wrath at local councils for not promptly removing the mess – rather than at the root cause of the problem: irresponsible dog owners who show every contempt for their environment and neighbours.  Ironically those who profess to be offended by dog fouling are often the offenders.

CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG!

Can owners be punished for failing to clean up after their dog?

Like any crime, dog fouling is punishable.  If detected allowing your dog to defecate without cleaning up the owner (or the person in charge of the dog at the time) may face an on-the-spot fine of £50.

The owner (or person in charge of the dog) is given the choice of paying it or going to court.  If taken to court and found to be guilty of the offence the owner could then be subject to a maximum penalty of £500 plus court costs.

Keep Lisburn Clean!

What does the Council do to address the problem of dog fouling?

Councils are forced to clean up dog waste as a necessary measure in protecting the local community from the dangers of infective dog faeces. 

Every year Lisburn City Council spends thousands of pounds on street cleaning and enforcement action, money that could be better spent enhancing our City if only all dog owners ‘scooped the poop’!

Dog owners should automatically bring a poop-scoop or disposable plastic bag with them when leaving home with their dog.

Lisburn City Council is very aware of the problems this anti-social behaviour brings and is keen to deter offenders.  To this end a number of measures have been put in place to promote a more responsible attitude towards dog ownership and apprehend those who continually act in an irresponsible manner.

  • Patrols at peak times – early mornings and evenings when owners are most active with dogs.
  • Provision of litterbins to dispose of the used poop-scoops.
  • Visits to schools and community groups – educating children and adults in the importance of dog care and control.
  • Liaising with local community groups to promote responsible dog ownership.
  • Placing additional dog fouling signage in affected areas.

REMEMBER – IF PROPERLY SECURED YOU CAN DISPOSE OF YOUR POOP-SCOOP IN ANY BIN!