Bits for Pets Blog

A loophole in Northern Ireland law which meant people could keep dangerous wild animals without having to have them licensed has been closed.

The new legislation requires owners of these animals to register with the Department of Environment.

Environment Minister David Cairns said the law had been passed amid concerns for animal welfare and public safety.

A 90-day amnesty begins at the end of December to allow owners to apply for a licence or to handover their animals.

Mr Cairns said the new legislation brought Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK.

“Until now the keeping of dangerous wild animals has been unregulated in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“Concerns over both public safety and the welfare of exotic animals kept in captivity, as well as alleged sightings of big cats in the wild, have accentuated the need for this legislation.”

The licence, which costs £80, can cover more than one animal.

However, owners are also required to pay an additional fee to cover an inspection by a DoE approved vet.

In the past, the USPCA has said it has found people keeping panthers, bears and even crocodiles in their homes.

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Dogs Trust urges people to consider older dogs instead of puppies this Christmas.
The UK’s largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, has launched an appeal to remember vulnerable older dogs this Christmas.

The charity, responsible for the slogan, “A Dog Is For Life, Not Just For Christmas”, is urging the public to relate this statement to older dogs as well as to puppies.

The run-up to Christmas is the Dogs Trust’s busiest time of the year as the number of dogs handed in, or found as strays, massively increases.

Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust Chief Executive said, “In our society, it is often the very old who are the most vulnerable over the festive season. It is the same with dogs.

“Sadly, in the run up to Christmas and in the New Year, the proportion of old dogs we take in to our care significantly rises compared to other times of the year.”

She added, “We beg people to consider the commitment needed to care for your pet for its whole life.”

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