The council has been carefully considering the circumstances surrounding the abandoned dog which was collected on 10 December 2024.
We are very mindful of the significant public commentary and concern surrounding this issue.
At the council meeting on 17 December, it was agreed to arrange an additional assessment to provide further assurance on the identification of the breed. We will appoint an independent, external agency to complete this assessment as early as possible in the New Year.
The dog is currently safe and secure and will be looked after in a DAERA approved kennel until the testing is complete. The legislation is clear that the dog cannot be temporarily re-homed as it has been identified as a banned breed. It would be considered an offence for the Council to place this dog in the care of any individual or family. No action will be taken until further assessment is complete.
We understand that this is a very distressing situation. We are committed to ensuring that all necessary measures are taken and that we are compliant with relevant legislation in the interests of public safety.
We would urge anyone who may own this dog to please contact 028 9244 7397.