Key Service Telephone Numbers
Dog Licensing
Dog Licensing: Information and Licence Application
All dogs, except guide dogs, must have a valid licence. A licence lasts for 12 months.
If you keep a dog without a licence, you can be fined £80.
Your dog must be microchipped before you can get a licence. Your local vet can help with microchipping.
Fees and Concessions
| License | Fee |
| Standard licence | £12.50 |
| 65 years or over | First dog licence is free, £5 for each extra dog |
| Receipt of an income related benefit or a couple in receipt of income related benefit | Click here for income related benefits that qualify for a reduced licence £5 per dog |
| Sterilised/neutered dog | £5 |
| Block licence (dog breeders or kennels with three or more unsterilised female dogs) | £32 |
You may be asked to show proof if you are applying for a discount.
How to Apply or Renew A Dog Licence
You can apply or renew online or by calling 0330 137 4024.
You can also post your completed application form and payment to the relevant council office.
Apply, Renew or register online
Email: ehealth@nmandd.org
How to Apply or Renew a Block Licence
Please see form available for download below.
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XL Bully Exemption Scheme
From 1 January 2025, it is against the law to own an XL Bully type dog without an Exemption Certificate.
If an owner does not have an Exemption Certificate, the council may seize the dog and take court action.
Applications for exemption closed on 31 December 2024. If you have applied but not yet received your certificate, you can tell the dog warden your name and address so they can confirm your status.
For more information, visit: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/xl-bully-dogs
XL Bully Ownership
There are now more XL Bully type dogs in Northern Ireland.
New safety measures are being introduced to reduce the risk of attacks on people, animals, and livestock.
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.
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.
Neutering an XL Bully dog
To keep your Exemption Certificate valid, your XL Bully must be neutered.
- Male dogs must be castrated.
- Female dogs must be spayed.
You must send proof of neutering to your local council.
- If your dog is 18 months or older on 31 December 2024, give proof by 30 June 2025.
- If your dog is under 18 months on that date, give proof by 30 June 2025 or within one month after turning 18 months, whichever is later.
If your dog is already neutered, you can complete the XL Bully Dog Veterinary Confirmation of Neutering Form. Send it by email or post to:
ehealth@nmandd.org
If you are unsure, your vet can check. A small fee may apply.
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 for a dog breeding establishment licence.
A breeding establishment means one or more places owned by the same person where:
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Three or more litters of puppies are bred, advertised, or sold in any 12 months.
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Or the person runs a business breeding or selling puppies.
If you plan to breed within the Newry, Mourne and Down area, you must apply for a licence.
How to Apply or Renew A Breeding Establishment Licence
Download the Application for Breeding Licence and post it to our Environmental Health (Dog Licensing) Team at either:
- Greenbank Industrial Estate, or
- Downshire Civic Centre.
Strays/Dogs for Rehoming
Stray or unwanted dogs are taken to:
Corran Kennels and Rehoming Centre
40 Tobercorran Road, Downpatrick BT30 8HU
If a dog warden removes a dog for rehoming, a fee applies.
| Stray | Fee |
| Own dog (if licenced) | £30 |
| Own dog (if not licenced) | £40 |
| In receipt of benefits | £10 (£15 if no valid licence) |
| OAP | £10 (£15 if no valid licence) |
To arrange collection, call 0330 137 4024.
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: 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