Protect Northern Ireland’s Dogs From Heat-Related Cruelty

Rejected 11 signatures

What the petition asks

Make it an offence in NI during extreme heat to walk dogs, leave them in cars, or outside without shade/water. Dogs are dying from preventable heatstroke. We need clear laws, enforcement powers, and penalties to protect them. Let’s make it law. Let’s protect our dogs.

Every summer, dogs in Northern Ireland suffer or die from heatstroke, a completely preventable cause of death. Walking dogs in high temperatures, leaving them in cars, or outside without shade and water is dangerous.
There are no clear laws to stop this. I want enforceable heat protection for dogs, including safe temperature limits, powers for early intervention, and penalties for those who put dogs at risk. Let’s act before more dogs suffer needlessly.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We have to reject petitions that call for action at a local level. Animal welfare in Northern Ireland is a devolved issue which is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

You could ask your MLA to take action on your concerns about this issue, including by asking them to present a public (paper) petition about this.

You can find contact details for your local MLA here: https://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/mlas/contacts.aspx

Timeline

13 Jul 2025	Petition opened for signatures
1 Aug 2025	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 11

Status Rejected

Rejected 1 Aug 2025

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