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Written question asked by Lady Hermon (Ulster Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 6 February 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 February 2007. It was answered by David Cairns (Labour) on Thursday, 22 March 2007 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Dogs: Northern Ireland

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many convictions for the ownership of a dangerous dog there were in Northern Ireland in each of the last six years; and what the (a) penalty imposed and (b) breed of dog was in each case.
Answer

Local councils provide statistical information to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) with respect to enforcement of the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 (as amended), including the number of prosecutions taken for offences under the legislation. However, prior to 2006 these returns did not specifically distinguish prosecutions for ownership of banned dogs from other prosecutions taken under the legislation.Since January 2006, figures provided to DARD by local councils show that there have been five successful prosecutions, details of which are set out in the following table. There are also a further 11 prosecutions pending, all of which are with respect to possession of pit bull type dogs. To date DARD has received statistical information for the final quarter of 2006 from 25 of the 26 local councils.

Successful prosecutions for possession of prohibited dog types during 2006¹ (from information provided to DARD by local councils)
Type of dog Order Penalty (£)
Pit bull type dog Destruction order 50 fine
Pit bull type dog No destruction order as dog died 200 fine plus a 2 year disqualification order
Pit bull type dog Destruction order 50 fine plus 169 costs
Pit bull type dog Destruction order 200 fine plus 94 costs
Pit bull type dog Destruction order 100 fine plus 181 costs plus costs for the destruction of the dog
¹ To date DARD has received statistical information for the final quarter of 2006 from 25 of the 26 local councils.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
458 c1094-5W; 120441
Session
2006-07
Related items
Deposited Paper DEP 07/1298
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects
Dogs Northern Ireland
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk