Animal Welfare – Who Can Help?

Companion Animals – Do you know when to telephone a Council Dog Warden or when to phone a Council Animal Welfare Officer? 

A Companion Animal is a cat, dog, horse, donkey… and can be found stray, hurt, or unwanted. 

Dog Wardens are called if dog barking, stray, following a dog bite, or no dog licence or when an owner doesn’t pick up after their dog and you can telephone your local council directly. 

Animal Welfare are called if a dog is hurt, being neglected or abused, and not meeting the five needs outlined in legislation. 

PSNI (Tel:101) can also be called, out of hours, and if the dog has been abandoned in a property or involved in illegal activity such as dog fighting. Animal welfare | nidirect 

If you have a concern, please make the call, make the report, provide any evidence including photographs if you have them, and ensure that you get a reference number so you can follow up if need be.   

Causeway Coast Dog Rescue charity will help in any way we can, but all charities in Northern Ireland are the same and you must make the report to council or police first and come to us if you need support as we appreciate you may have witnessed a crime or had a traumatic experience.  Charities do not have powers to investigate and prosecute in Northern Ireland, it is our trilogy of services only – DAERA, Farm Animals; PSNI, Criminal activity and out of hours; and 11 Councils for Animal Welfare and Dog Wardens. Please share this information. Thank you for your support.