Northern Ireland

Almost 200 people attacked by dogs across Northern Ireland in just three months

Councils are considering prosecutions in 34 cases of attacks by dogs on people
Councils are considering prosecutions in 34 cases of attacks by dogs on people Councils are considering prosecutions in 34 cases of attacks by dogs on people

ALMOST 200 people were attacked by dogs across Northern Ireland in just three months this year - and 136 pets were injured.

But the figures for April to June reveal that just one prosecution for failing to control a dog was instigated, while there were 117 started over straying dogs and animals without a licence.

Councils are considering prosecutions in 34 cases of attacks on people, with Belfast accounting for 18 of those and Causeway Coast and Glens 11.

There were just four successful prosecutions (from incidents that took place before the reporting period) for attacks on people and eight for varying attacks on animals.

The councils collected £700 from these court cases for attacks on humans and £2,324 for attacks on livestock.

Ards and North Down Borough Council recorded the most attacks on people (48) during the three-month period, while Derry and Strabane had just four.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) published the canine statistics on its website for the first time.

They are compiled by the north's 11 councils and include details under a range of categories such as dog licences, stray dogs, dog attacks and dog warden enforcement actions.

There are 1,066 dogs with `controls' attached to their licences - with 101 made in the three-month period.

Controls included having muzzles fitted, exclusions from public places and owners being required to undergo training on handling their pets.

Of these, 43 were related to attacks on people and 46 on other animals.

Councils are considering prosecutions for attacks on people in 34 cases and 26 cases in attacks on other pets.

There are also six cases under active consideration over worrying livestock and one where an owner is accused of actively setting their dog on someone.

Only four fixed penalties were issued to owners for failure to control their animals and five for failure to comply with control issues.

DAERA chief vet and head of animal health, Robert Huey said it was publishing the information on its website to make it it "open and accessible to everyone".

"As a domestic rather than agricultural animal, dogs are primarily a matter for councils as opposed to the department," he said.

"However, we have a statutory responsibility to collate the statistics. These, in turn, provide an overview, giving figures on a variety of issues. This is an illustration of the work which goes on at a local level across Northern Ireland."