New dog licence set to cost £50

The cost of a dog licence in Northern Ireland is set to increase 10-fold to £50.

New measures are also being introduced to tackle the growing problem of strays and violent attacks on people and other pets.
The new Dog Control Order would force owners to microchip their pets at a cost of £20-£30.
For the first time there would be a offence involving dog on dog attacks.
The minister responsible, Michelle Gildernew, said Northern Ireland has a dog control problem and that new legislation was needed to prevent children being at risk of life-threatening injuries.
Official figures paint a picture of neglect and irresponsible owners.
More than a third of all stray dogs in the United Kingdom are in Northern Ireland where 7,400 animals were recovered by wardens last year.
The aim of the new legislation is to protect people and pets from aggressive dogs and to make the owners of such animals responsible for the actions of their animals.
Dog licensing and the microchipping of pets are seen as key to tackling the dog control issue.
The new legislation would be in addition to the dangerous dog laws which name specific breeds like the pit bull.
Dog wardens say that many types of dog have the potential to be aggressive.
Fifteen successful prosecutions were brought last year resulting from dog attacks on people.

The new legislation would provide for 'dog ASBOs'

The insistence on dogs being kept on leads in public places though may prove controversial.
Currently most public parks have by-laws and large signs telling owners that dogs must be kept on a lead.
Many owners though simply ignore the warning and allow their animals to roam free.
Other park users though see the need for tighter control and point to situations they have witnessed where children or cyclists have been attacked.
The main thrust of the new legalisation will be to get owners to behave responsibly by registering their pets and preventing them from straying.
The new legislation would also allow for the introduction of dog ASBOs where wardens could insist, for example, on animals being muzzled and perhaps sent for training to eradicate nasty behaviour.
The microchipping would allow councils to home in on dogs which are persistent offenders and owners who do not care.
Dog wardens report that many people still just open the door and let the dog out for the day.
The fine for straying is currently just £10.
Some people just decide they have had enough and dump their dog.
In Belfast alone up to 1,000 dogs are picked up by wardens every year.
Sadly not all are suitable for re-homing and and as many as 350 dogs are destroyed annually
Dog fouling is also still an issue in many areas.
The fine may be £50 but often owners simply ignore wardens or give a spurious name and address.
The new legislation will go out to public consultation next month with June 2010 the target date for the new laws to come into force.

do you think WE should have dog licences again here

This is a difficult one. If they brought this in im sure they will have an influx of stray dogs as people wont be able to afford the license.
Some people have no consideration for others such as dogs fowling in parks - the other day I was out with one of my girls and this old bloke had his little dog of the lead, and whilst he had walked on the dog had a poo in the park - the bloke kept turning round to see what his dog was doing. Anyway I shouted across the park and asked if he wanted a poo bag.....he ignored me so I shouted ...OIH! But bloke total ignored me. That does make me mad sorry rant over