Number of people attacked by dogs in Northern Ireland

A total of 272 people reported being attacked by a dog in Northern Ireland in a 90 day period in 2023.

Councils investigated a further 176 dog attacks on another dog during that time, 36 dog attacks on livestock and 98 pets were placed under special control conditions as a result.

The majority, 384 incidents involving dog attacks, were resolved with the owner and victim without further action.

Nearly 100 new dogs were added to the list for control conditions in the period from April to June 2023, bringing the total number of dogs subject to control conditions in Northern Ireland to 2,176 with the highest number - 309 - in Fermanagh and Omagh. No individual dog owners have been ordered to undertake any type of training.

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A total of 61 people are being considered for prosecution for a dog attack on a person and one dog owner is facing court over allegedly setting a dog on a person, and four people for setting a dog on a pet.

Councils are taking 35 cases of dog on dog attacks forward for prosecution and total of 86 dog owners were ordered to keep their pets under control in a public place with a further 84 ordered to confine their pet to a building, yard or specified place.

More than 300 people were fined for not having their dog licenced, a further 153 were penalised for allowing their pet to stray, and 13 owners were fined for failing to comply with control conditions imposed by the council. Fines from April to June 2023 amounted to £13,500.

Number of dog attacks on a person:

• Antrim and Newtownabbey 40

• Ards and North Down 24

• Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon 32

• Belfast City Council 43

• Causeway Coast and Glens 14

• Derry and Strabane 19

• Fermanagh and Omagh 17

• Lisburn and Castlereagh 20

• Mid and East Antrim 7

• Mid Ulster 23

• Newry, Mourne and Down 33

Number of dogs with special conditions on their licences:

• Antrim and Newtownabbey 279

• Ards and North Down 283

• Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon 212

• Belfast City Council 341

• Causeway Coast and Glens 153

• Derry and Strabane 69

• Fermanagh and Omagh 309

• Lisburn and Castlereagh 159

• Mid and East Antrim 262

• Mid Ulster 84

• Newry, Mourne and Down 25

Number of dogs ordered to be fitted with a muzzle

• Antrim and Newtownabbey 1

• Ards and North Down 7

• Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon 3

• Belfast City Council 3

• Causeway Coast and Glens 0

• Derry and Strabane 4

• Fermanagh and Omagh 7

• Lisburn and Castlereagh 3

• Mid and East Antrim 2

• Mid Ulster 0

• Newry, Mourne and Down 9

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