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Northern Ireland publishes dog statistics
Local councils in Northern Ireland dealt with 1,172 stray dogs in the first quarter of 2017/18.
Just under half of strays were not reunited with owners

Local councils in Northern Ireland dealt with 1,172 stray dogs in the first quarter of 2017/18, of which just over half (619) were reunited with their owners. This is according to new figures published by the Department of Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

Out of the remaining dogs who could not be reunited with their owners, 44 were euthanised, 207 sold to the public and 272 passed to animal shelters.

DAERA has published canine statistics on its website for the first time, covering a range of topics such as dog licences, dog attacks and enforcement actions.

Other key points include:
  • There were 378 dog attacks between April and June 2017. Of these, there were 201 attacks on people, 41 cases of livestock worrying and 136 attacks on other pets.
  • Out of 67 prosecutions relating to dog attacks, 12 were successfully concluded at the time of publishing the figures.
  • Thirteen cases of prohibited dogs were investigation, but no banned dogs identified.
  • 37,843 licences were issued
  • Enforcement actions included fixed penalties (686), warning letters (1,550), formal cautions (five), control conditions e.g. muzzling, neutering, owner training (101).

Statistical information on dogs is to be published on DAERA’s website each quarter.

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FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.