Dog Law
With all the confusion surrounding the current dog laws in the UK, I thought a handy reference article would help people who were not sure about the various laws affecting us as dog owners. Many times I have wondered where we stand on a number of legal issues, so, I have done a bit of research of the law in the UK in an effort to shed some light on the topic.
Laws Directly Affecting Dog Owners in the U.K.
• Control of Dogs Order 1992
This law makes it illegal for a dog to not have a collar with dog tag clearly stating its name, address and contact number whilst out in a public place. If a dog is caught without any identification it may be seized and treated as a stray. Also the owner may be fined and prosecuted. Exceptions to this are hunting dogs, dogs used for rounding up cattle, sheep, goats & other livestock, security dogs/police dogs, guide dogs and dogs used for sporting purposes.
• Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (outside London) and Metropolitan Police Act 1839 (London)
This makes it an offence for a ferocious/fierce dog, or a declared ‘dangerous’ dog, that is not muzzled, on a lead and under the control of a person over 18 years of age to be allowed on a street. A person may be fined and prosecuted if their dog scares another person or animal, or attacks them. (Please check with your local authority as it may vary in your area.)
• Dogs Act 1871
Your dog may be put down, after a warning, if someone complains to the police that your dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control.
• Animals Act 1971
Your dog may be legally shot by a farmer if it is caught worrying or killing his livestock. On top of this you may face a criminal prosecution for the same offence under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. The owner is responsible for any damage caused.
• Road Traffic Act 1988
This makes it illegal to have a dog on a public road unless it is on a lead.
• Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
This law allows local authorities to have areas of land where dogs must be kept on leads or excluded. The law must relate to one of the following matters: fouling of land by dogs and removal of dog faeces; the keeping of dogs on leads; the exclusion of dogs from land; the number of dogs which a person may take onto any land, maximum of 6.
It also relieves the police of their statutory responsibilities for stray dogs. This act also gives local authorities greater power in dealing with noise nuisance by enabling the local authority to use alternative means to resolve complaints about noise, which qualifies as statutory nuisance, prior to the issuing of an abatement notice.
• Guard Dogs Act 1975
This law makes it illegal to permit the use of a guard dog unless the owner is present and the dog is under control. If the handler is not present, then the dog must be secured and not allowed to go freely about the premises. A warning sign must be clearly visible at the entrance to the property.
• Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) 1991
This section applies to any type of dog known as the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero. Owners of these dogs must comply with strict requirements. The requirements are: keeping the dog muzzled and on a lead at all times in a public place, having the dog insured and neutered with the aim of the breeds becoming extinct in the UK. Owners may not breed, give away or sell these dogs. Owners are also given the option to have their dogs put down and can accept Government compensation for doing so. The second part of this law refers to Town Police Clauses Act 1847 & Dogs Act 1871 (above).
• The Protection of Animals Act 1911
This law makes it an offence to torture, neglect, abuse or hurt any animal. It is also an offence to cause unnecessary suffering. Conviction of an offence under this Act means that you may be banned from keeping animals for life, be prosecuted and fined and/or imprisoned.
• Abandonment of Animals Act 1960
This law extends the definition of cruelty to include abandonment of any animal, with similar penalties to the above being imposed upon conviction of an offence under this Act.
• Puppy Farming & the Breeding & Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999
This law requires anyone breeding five or more litters a year for sale to be in possession of a current breeding licence. The Act provides that bitches are not allowed to be mated if they are less than one year old. Puppies cannot be sold until they are at least eight weeks old. There are now stiffer penalties, including imprisonment. In addition, the Breeding of Dogs Act 1991 allowed the local authorities to obtain a warrant to enter any premises, excluding the owners private home, if it is believed that puppy farming is being carried out.
While I have gone to great lengths to research and interpret the law as accurately as possible, please do not use this article as a substitute for proper legal advice. If in doubt please contact a legal professional.
Written by Nats