Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have dealt with almost 300 stray and unwanted dogs in the county over the past year, new figures reveal.
Between July 2016 and June of this year, 170 stray and 117 unwanted dogs were lifted across Fermanagh by the Council’s dog warden. Of these, 25 were sold, 80 were reclaimed and 94 were humanely destroyed with the remaining 88 being transferred to animal shelters.
Despite the high figure, the Council’s dog warden confirmed a reduction in the number of abandoned and lost dogs lifted in Fermanagh in the past year. In comparison the Council dealt with 384 dogs between July 2015 and June 2016, 233 strays and 151 unwanted dogs of which 25 were sold, 102 reclaimed and 113 destroyed.
Local vet Maeve Lunny of the Brook Veterinary Clinic has also noticed that the numbers are significantly down on previous years and says it’s thanks to more responsible pet ownership:
“It fantastic to see the figures decreasing and that’s down to more people neutering and micro-chipping their dogs so that there are fewer unwanted animals. People are also becoming better educated on how to raise a puppy it means less problems down the line and less chance of their dogs having to be re-homed.”
Under the Dogs (NI) Order 1983, all dog owners are required to possess a valid dog licence which must be renewed on an annual basis. This is an essential part of being a responsible dog owner as the dog must be microchipped before a dog licence can be obtained in order to help Council Officers and local vets return lost dogs to their owners.
It is an offence for any person to keep a dog without having a valid dog licence and a fixed penalty notice for £80 may be issued. Anyone found guilty of such an offence faces a court fine of up to £1000.
Stray and unwanted dogs are available for rehoming directly from the Council’s Dog Pound for a £10 rehoming fee.
“Anyone planning to own a dog should consider all the requirements of caring for a dog, feeding, training, exercising etc. before purchasing or otherwise acquiring a dog. We also advise that micro-chipping of the animal is required before a dog licence is issued,” a council spokesman added.
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