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Reporting a dog or animal welfare issue
You can report:
- a stray, lost or stolen dog
- dog fouling
- an overheating dog
- a dead animal
We also have information on reporting animal welfare issues that apply to animals such as horses and donkeys and contact details for reporting wild (feral) cats.
Operating hours
Our dog wardens operational hours are:
Time To report Sunday to Saturday - except public and bank holidays
8am - 8pmCall 028 9027 0431. Weekdays
5pm - 8pm
Weekends
8am - 8pmLeave a voicemail.
Messages will be responded to by an officer as soon as possible. -
Report an animal welfare issue
We are responsible for enforcing the Welfare of Animals (NI) Act 2011. This applies to non-farmed animals only - these are domestic pets of any vertebrate species and equines such as horses and donkeys.
If you have any concerns about a domestic animal, horse or donkey or think an animal is suffering from neglect, you should report an animal welfare issue.
- report issue online (link opens in new window)
You can also report an issue by email or phone.
Time Contact details During normal office hours:
Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm- animalwelfare@belfastcity.gov.uk
- 028 9027 0431
If your call is not urgent please contact us during normal office hours.
We will investigate complaints and enforce the legislation, but an animal's welfare is always the responsibility of the owner or keeper. All reports are confidential and you can report concerns anonymously.
We can take action to improve the welfare of non-farmed animals including:
- providing advice
- issuing an improvement notice
- taking animals into their possession and
- taking prosecution action
- Report an animal welfare issue (link opens in new window)
Welfare of farm animals
Welfare complaints about farmed animals (animals bred or kept for the production of food, wool or skin or other farming purposes) should be referred to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) (link opens in new window).
Welfare of wild animals
Welfare complaints about wildlife crime such as badger baiting, bird poisoning, deer poaching, or animal fighting should be referred to the PSNI on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
You should also contact the PSNI about wild animals or animals on the road.
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Report a lost or stolen dog
To report a lost or stolen dog, call us on 028 9027 0431.
We can then check to see if it has been picked up by our wardens or taken to our dog pound at:
Nutts Corner Boarding Kennels
18 Dundrod Road
Nutts Corner
Crumlin
Co. AntrimTelephone: 028 9082 5317
Facebook: Nutts Corner Boarding Kennels (link opens in new window)
If you're collecting a lost or stolen dog please call in advance and bring photographic ID, your dog's licence number and the release fee.
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Report dog fouling
Help us clamp down on dog fouling by reporting it, you can:
- Report dog fouling online
- Email dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk
- Call us on 028 9027 0431
We want to know:
- Where the dog fouling is – the exact location will really help, include street names, areas, or landmarks.
- The time you think the dog fouling happens – do you know what time the offending dog is usually walked?
- What the dog looks like – if you know the colour, breed or size this will help us identify the offender.
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Report a stray dog
If you find a stray dog, call our dog wardens on 028 9027 0431.
They'll arrange to collect it. You may also be asked for:
- your name, address and telephone number,
- a description of the dog including its type, colour, size and approximate age,
- the time, date and location where you found the dog.
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Report an overheating dog
If you see a dog overheating in a car, you can call us:
Opening times Telephone Monday to Friday
8.30am - 5pm028 9027 0431 Outside of these hours PSNI on 999 If a dog suffers or dies because they were left in a hot car, their owner can face prosecution for neglect and cruelty.
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Reporting feral (wild) cats
The Cats Protection organisation is experienced in these matters and will provide advice. Email belfast@cats.org.uk or call 028 9048 0202.
Cats are free to roam and will often spend long periods away from their home. They are more likely to do so if they are being fed by different people. Our advice is not to feed cats you don't own.
If you have any welfare concerns for a cat and know the owners address, report the issue to animal welfare (link opens in new window).
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Report a dead animal
You can report a dead animal (link opens in new window) on the road to our Street Cleansing team.
You can also email streetcleansing@belfastcity.gov.uk or call us on 028 9027 0230 to make a report.
If an animal dies in your house, you must make your own arrangements to dispose of your animal.
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Dog control fines
Dog control fines are issued in accordance with The Fouling of Land by Dogs (Belfast City Council) Act 2012 (link opens in new window). These are the fines issued in the previous 12 months.
Month Fouling No licence Straying December 2020 1 13 3 November 2020 1 2 10 October 2020 0 0 7 September 2020 0 0 0 August 2020 0 0 0 July 2020 0 0 0 June 2020 0 0 0 May 2020 0 0 0 April 2020 0 0 0 March 2020 8 7 5 February 2020 18 30 21 January 2020 15 24 30 Total 43 76 76
Contact us
For more information and advice, get in touch.
Dog control, Ground Floor, Cecil Ward Building, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP