Block dog licences

Block dog licence

A block dog licence is £32 and is for dog breeders or kennels with three or more dogs. It's valid for one year.

Anyone wishing to buy a block dog licence must present proof with their application that they have at least three or more dogs registered with Kennel Club or any other approved registering organisation. We accept copies of registration documents and will return these once we issue the licence.

No concessions are available for block licences.

To apply for a dog licence, complete the form below and send it to us at:

Belfast City Council
Health and Environmental Services Department
Floor 5
9 Lanyon Place
Belfast
BT1 3LP

Download block dog licence application form (PDF- 136 KB)

You can also call us on 028 9027 0431 or email dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk to request an application form.

Please note that we can't register dogs as 'mongrels'. You can check the breed of your dog by visiting the Kennel Club website

Microchipping

All new block licence holders must keep a record of the microchip numbers of all dogs held under that licence.

You must keep the following information:

Microchip details of each of the dog which is kept at the premises where the block licence is in force and is 12 weeks old on or before 9 April 2012.
From 1 January 2013 microchip details must be kept for all dogs aged eight weeks or more.
Date of sale, transfer or death of any dog.
The name and address of the person to whom any dog is sold or transferred.
The new keeper's dog licence or block licence number.

Information about the sale, transfer or death of any dog must be recorded within seven days of the sale, transfer or death. You can keep the records in written or electronic form.

Sample record form (Word - 35KB)

A dog is exempt if the licence holder produces an exemption certificate from a veterinary surgeon stating that implanting a microchip would have an adverse effect on the health of the dog.

Greyhounds kept under a block licence until 1 January 2013 are also exempt.

A greyhound is defined as "a greyhound or the pup of a greyhound dog and greyhound bitch, which has been entered into the Irish Greyhound Stud book in which thoroughbred greyhounds are registered and identified under the constitution of the Irish Coursing Club" (Regulation 2).

All records must be maintained for three years from the date of the last entry and must be made available to council officers for inspection (Regulation 11(3) and 11(4)).

Find out more about microchipping

Refunds and transfers

If your dog dies, you can apply for a refund of your licence. You must apply within six months of your dog's death.

Download dog licence refund application form (PDF - 14KB)
Download dog licence refund application form (Word - 17KB)

You can also transfer your licence to another dog but, again, you must do this within six months of your dog's death.

Download dog licence transfer certificate application form (PDF - 27KB)
Download dog licence transfer certificate application form (Word- 30KB)

Fines for not licensing your dog

The fixed penalty notices for dog licensing offences are:

not having a licence for your dog - £80 (£50 if paid within 14 days)
not displaying a licence tag or ID on your dog - £80 (£50 if paid within 14 days)

If you do not pay a fixed penalty notice, you can be taken to court, where you may be fined up to £1,000.