Dog Licensing

Dog Licensing: Information and Licence Application

All dogs, with the exception of guide dogs, must have a valid licence.  A licence is valid for 12 months.

If you keep a dog without a licence you can be issued with an £80 fine.

A dog must be microchipped before a licence can be issued. Your local vet can provide more information on microchipping.

Fees and Concessions

NB – you may be required to provide evidence in relation to concessions.

How to Apply or Renew A Dog Licence

You can apply online (see below) or by telephoning council offices on 0330 137 4024. Complete the application form and post it with the appropriate license fee to the relevant office.

Apply, Renew or register online

Contact Us

Telephone: 0330 137 4024
Email: ehealth@nmandd.org

How to Apply or Renew a Block Licence

Please see form available for download below. 

XL Bully Ownership

Since restrictions came into effect on owning XL Bully dogs in other parts of the UK, there has been a significant increase in the number of XL Bully type dogs in Northern Ireland.

New safeguards are being introduced in Northern Ireland to reduce the potential for an attack by an XL Bully type dog on a member of the public, livestock, or any other animal.

For more information visit: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/xl-bully-dogs

Definition of an XL Bully Dog

In Northern Ireland, the definition used for an XL Bully type dog will be the same as the one that the UK Government set out for England and Wales, and which is also used in Scotland.

It is known as a physical conformation standard. This detailed guidance sets out descriptions of height, head, teeth, neck, forequarters, body, hindquarters, feet, tail, and coat.

• Conformation standard for XL Bully type dogs

The XL Bully is not officially recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club UK and due to the lack of recognition of the breed, there is no guarantee that the dogs are bred responsibly.

Potential inbreeding may exaggerate behaviours such as aggression, and the strength and size of these dogs means any attacks or bites are more likely to be serious.

Licensing an XL Bully dog

All dogs in Northern Ireland must be licensed and microchipped at eight weeks old. It is an offence to own an unlicensed dog, unless the dog is exempted.

A dog licence lasts for 12 months and application forms for a dog licence, or for the renewal of a dog licence, are available from Council offices (addresses above) or by clicking HERE.

Applying for an Exemption Certificate

The application process for XL Bully dog exemptions will open on 9 August 2024 and close on 31 December 2024.

Applicants must apply through the council by downloading the XL Bully Dog Exemption Application Form application form below which can be posted to the local council before 15 December 2024 or emailed by 31 December 2024.

To get an Exemption Certificate for your XL Bully dog, you must: 

• be the registered owner
• have a valid licence for your dog
• be 16 years old or older
• keep the dog at the same address as the certificate holder (you can keep the dog at a different address for a maximum of 30 days in a 12-month period)
• get your dog microchipped by the time it is eight weeks old 
• have your dog neutered by the time it is 18 months old 
• get third party public liability insurance for your dog 
• pay the application fee of £92.40 
• Exemption Certificates will be issued by the relevant council if it is satisfied with the application and evidence provided, and if the fee of £92.40 has been paid before the deadline.

Payments can be made either by cheque or over the phone by debit or credit card. Applications will be processed as soon as possible; however, allow up to 21 days for your Exemption Certificate to be issued.

If you apply shortly before the closing date, you may not receive your Exemption Certificate by 1 January 2025. If this happens and a dog warden asks to see your certificate you can show them proof that you have applied.

Contact the Environmental Health (Dog Licensing) Team via the details below with any queries in relation to your application or if you need help.

Telephone: 0330 137 4024 
Email: ehealth@nmandd.org 

To access and download the relevant XL Bully Forms please click on the following links: 

XL Bully Dog Exemption Application Form NMDDC

XL Bully Dog Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Form NMDDC 

XL Bully Dog Certificate of Exemption Privacy Notice NMDDC

Neutering an XL Bully dog 

For your Exemption Certificate to remain valid, you must arrange to have your XL Bully dog neutered. Male dogs must be neutered through castration, and female dogs must be spayed.

You must use the confirmation of neutering form to let your council know your dog has been neutered. For dogs 18 months or older on 31 December 2024, evidence of neutering having occurred must be given to the relevant local council by 30 June 2025.

For dogs younger than 18 months on 31 December 2024, evidence of neutering must be given to the relevant local council by 30 June 2025, or one month after the dog reaches 18 months of age, whichever is later. If your dog is already neutered, you can fill in the XL Bully Dog Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Form straight away and send it to us via post or email to:ehealth@nmandd.org 

If you are unsure whether your dog has been neutered, you should seek advice from your vet. You may have to pay a fee for this.

Dog Breeding Establishments

As part of the Welfare of Animals (Dog breeding establishments and miscellaneous amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 anyone who owns three or more breeding bitches, or intends to breed more than three litters of puppies a year for sale, must apply to us for a dog breeding establishment licence.

A breeding establishment is defined as one or more premises, within the same area, operated by the same person and from which that person keeps three or more breeding bitches, and 

• breeds three or more litters of puppies in any 12 month period
• advertises three or more litters of puppies for sale in any 12 month period
• supplies three or more litters of puppies in any 12 month period, or
• advertises a business of breeding or selling of puppies.

If you are planning to operate a dog breeding establishment within the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area you must apply to us for a licence.   

How to Apply or Renew A Breeding Establishment Licence

Download an Application for Breeding Licence and post back to our Environmental Health (Dog Licensing) Teams based at Greenbank Industrial Estate or the Downshire Civic Centre. 

Strays/Dogs for Rehoming

Stray dogs or dogs given up for re-homing are taken to Corran Kennels and Re-homing Centre, 
40 Tobercorran Road, Downpatrick BT30 8HU.

Dogs for re-homing can be removed by the dog warden for a fee - taken at the time of removal.

Please contact us on 0330 137 4024 to arrange a time for the dog warden to remove a stray dog or your own dog.

Dog Control Contact Details

Telephone: 0330 137 4024 
Email: ehealth@nmandd.org 

Please note that our Dog Control Service operates from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. 

An emergency out of hours Dog Control service operates from:

• Monday – Friday 5pm – 9pm 
• Saturday & Sunday from 9am – 5pm
• Public Holidays from 9am – 5pm 

This service is for emergency calls only e.g. serious dog attack, aggressive stray dog posing risk to the public.

Out of hours Dog Control contact number – 0739 186 1646

Useful Links

www.dogstrust.org.uk
www.petlog.org.uk

Contact Us

Telephone: 0330 137 4024
Email: ehealth@nmandd.org

Post: 

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council                                   
Haughey House
Unit 19, Rampart Road
Greenbank Industrial Estate
NEWRY
County Down
BT34 2QU

OR

Environmental Health - Dog Licensing
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Downshire Civic Centre
Ardglass Road
DOWNPATRICK
County Down
BT30 6GQ