HOW DESTRUCTION ORDERS WORK

A SHERIFF can grant an order for a dog’s destruction.

The court can also make an order to disqualify the dog’s owner from owning or keeping a dog for any period of time.

Before a sheriff rules that a dog is to be put down, the court must give the owner an opportunity to make representations.

A destruction order cannot be made unless the court is satisfied that the evidence of a veterinary surgeon has shown it would be in the interests of each animal to which it relates.

When an appeal against a destruction order is made, these orders are suspended until the appeal has been withdrawn or determined.

Any person who has an interest in the animal due to be destroyed can make an appeal to the High Court against the order within seven days of it being made.