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THE cost of a dog licence is set to double - and owners should be wary of letting their pets run loose without a lead.

Tighter dog laws, which will give North Down Borough Council more powers over dogs, have been given backing by councillors.

The new laws would give council dog wardens power to issue higher on the spot fines for people responsible for stray dogs and dog on dog attacks.
As well as doubling the licence fees, it would become compulsory for dogs to be microchipped, under the government proposals.

At last week´s meeting Alderman Ruby Cooling spoke out against the plans and highlighted dog control problems in her own neighbourhood.
She said, "The majority of people in Bangor look after their dogs.
"They get a licence every year, they take them out regularly, they keep them on the lead, and clean up everything that has been left behind."

The Democratic Unionist pointed to problems with stray dogs in the Silverstream area of Bangor. "It would be a lot better if we could have stray dogs lifted," she added.

"There is a problem in Silverstream and they leave their visiting cards right outside your gate.

"People in the area have seen these dogs roaming around without collars on their necks. There’s a problem with dog mess and it’s dangerous to children. If they fall on it it can be very dangerous."