If you own a dog in England, there are over 20 pieces of legislation that you need to be aware of. Here are the top 5.
NOTE: This post will help you understand your responsibilities, but it is not to be considered legal advice!
1. The Animal Welfare Act
First and foremost, the Animal Welfare Act means that you have a legal duty to make sure your dogs needs for a suitable environment, diet, ability to exhibit normal behaviour, to be housed with, or apart from, other animals and be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
Obviously, if you are reading this, you want to take care of your dog. Owners who don't face a prison sentence of up to 51 weeks, a fine of up to £20,000, their dog confiscated or be banned from having pets in the future.
2. Dangerous Dogs Act
It is a criminal offence for a person in charge of a dog to allow it to be 'dangerously out of control' in a public place or be in a place where it is not permitted to be. It also bans specific breeds of dog including the Pit Bull Terrier, the Fila Brasiliero, the Dogo Argentino and the Japanese Tosa.
Penalties for breaking this law may include a prison sentence or a ban on keeping dogs. Dogs may be seized and may be destroyed (unless the owner can persuade the court that it is not a danger to the public, in which case it may be subject to a control order). The owner may also have to pay a fine, compensation and costs.
3. Microchipping of Dogs Regulation and Control of Dogs Order
There is a legal requirement to microchip your dog. It is a relatively cheap and very easy way to ensure that if your dog goes missing, you are more likely to be reunited when it is found.
Any dog in a public place must have an identification tag. The tag must include the name and address of the owner either inscribed on the collar or on a name plate or disc attached to it. It is also a very good idea to have your mobile number on the tag, so that if you lose your dog, people are able to contact you when he or she is found.
If your dog is caught in a public place without a microchip or dog tag, you could face a fine of up to £5000.
4. Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act
Dogs should not be allowed to attack, chase or bark at livestock. Even if they don't draw blood, dogs "worrying" livestock can cause pregnant animals to lose their young through stress.
When near livestock, keep your dog on a lead, especially around young animals. Even if your pet does not usually chase, every dog has an off day, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The maximum fine for a dog owner is up to £1,000. Farmers can also shoot dogs they believe are worrying livestock on their land.
5. The Highway Code
The Highway Code requires dogs to be ‘suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly’.
While breaking the Highway Code is not an offence in itself, allowing a dog to distract you could be taken into account in the event of an accident.
Bear in mind that in a crash, an unsecured dog will be thrown forward with significant force. This could result in your pet being injured or worse and, depending on the size of your dog, could also injure or kill the driver or passengers. An airbag can kill a dog.
Further reading
Things to be aware of:
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