Northern Ireland publishes dog statistics
Local councils in Northern Ireland dealt with 1,172 stray dogs in the first quarter of 2017/18.
Local councils in Northern Ireland dealt with 1,172 stray dogs in the first quarter of 2017/18, of which just over half (619) were reunited with their owners. This is according to new figures published by the Department of Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Out of the remaining dogs who could not be reunited with their owners, 44 were euthanised, 207 sold to the public and 272 passed to animal shelters.
DAERA has published canine statistics on its website for the first time, covering a range of topics such as dog licences, dog attacks and enforcement actions.
Other key points include:
- There were 378 dog attacks between April and June 2017. Of these, there were 201 attacks on people, 41 cases of livestock worrying and 136 attacks on other pets.
- Out of 67 prosecutions relating to dog attacks, 12 were successfully concluded at the time of publishing the figures.
- Thirteen cases of prohibited dogs were investigation, but no banned dogs identified.
- 37,843 licences were issued
- Enforcement actions included fixed penalties (686), warning letters (1,550), formal cautions (five), control conditions e.g. muzzling, neutering, owner training (101).
Statistical information on dogs is to be published on DAERA’s website each quarter.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
