INTERNATIONAL DOG SAFETY REGULATIONS:
TAKING CARE OF PETS WHILE COMPLYING WITH THE LAW

International Dog Safety Regulations: Taking care of pets while complying with the law 

Responsible pet ownership not only entails providing love and care for their furry friends but also being compliant with laws. Dog safety is about protecting them from harm and ensuring they do not harm other people or animals. Hence, you should be aware of any laws that pertain to your dog and abide by them.  

Currently, there are no blanket regulations regarding dog safety. Dog Safety regulations worldwide are different depending on what the local authorities deem necessary for their area. However, there are basic similarities that dog owners around the world need to know.  

Aside from the common safety regulations, dog laws in the UK are discussed further below. 

• Leash Laws 

Leash laws are common in many countries. This law requires dogs to be leashed or confined to prevent running loose and protect public health and safety. In addition, using a leash would also keep your dog safe from the dangers of the outside world, such as cars, wild animals, and other people’s pets.  

• Licencing  

Dog licences are required in case a dog gets lost. Licences are often used to identify the guardians of a lost dog, increasing the chances of getting them back in case you ever get separated. It also promotes vaccinations as owners are required to present proof of vaccination before being issued a licence. Since licences are usually purchased from local animal shelters, you can support their annual funding to help the remaining dogs in that shelter.  

• Number Limits 

Legislators often try to address nuisance problems by limiting the number of pets in one household. However, there is no proven link between having multiple dogs and nuisance problems. It all depends on the person raising the dogs. A person with one dog who allow them to go out of control is more likely to cause problems. If a person is responsible, they can manage a few dogs without causing any trouble.  

• Breed Bans  

When dogs of a particular breed cause several or even a single awful attack, it often leads to a breed ban. While some breeds are more likely to be bigger, stronger, more protective, or even more aggressive, prohibiting certain breeds don’t acknowledge the root cause of the issue. Remember, no dog is inherently vicious. Even the least threatening dog can attack if their owners ignore their responsibility of socialising, training, and controlling them.  

Dog Safety Regulations in the UK  

In the UK, dog safety laws cover many areas that consider the safety and welfare of the dogs, their owners, and the public. This guide breaks down some of the most important laws to understand your responsibilities. 

1. Animal welfare 

Under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act of 2006, pet owners must ensure they take reasonable steps in all circumstances to provide the welfare needs of their animals. When a dog owner fails to ensure their pet’s welfare, they face prosecution and cause the suffering of an animal they were supposed to care for and raise. That is why you need to ensure that all domestic animals, including dogs, have been provided with the following needs. 

• Suitable Environment – A pet should have a proper place to call home, with a comfortable place to rest as well as adequate space to exercise and explore.   
• Suitable Diet – Pets should be fed appropriately and provided access to fresh, clean water throughout their life to prevent malnourishment and dehydration. 
• Exhibit Normal Behaviour Patterns – Pets should be given the ability to behave naturally for their species. For dogs, their usual behaviour involves being playful and friendly. As such, they should have regular opportunities to play with toys, people, and other dogs. 
• Companionship – If a pet is kept with another pet, make sure that they are properly housed with or separated from other animals depending on the species. Since dogs are usually sociable animals, they should be given and allowed to enjoy the company.  
• Health – Ensure you provide suitable preventative measures to protect your pet from pain, injury, suffering, and disease. It also means providing them with medical care if they do ever suffer from injury or illness. 

Aside from meeting your dog’s needs, protecting the wellbeing of dogs also entails keeping them away from unnecessary suffering. This includes steering clear the following equipment and actions. 

a. Electric shock collars 

Shock collars are inhumane objects that induce pain and fear to train or control dogs. In Wales, these collars are banned. If a dog owner is ever found to use this on their pet, they can be sent to prison for up to 51 weeks and face a fine of up to £20,000. 

b. Tail docking 

Tail docking refers to removing or causing the removal of the whole or any part of a dog’s tail. In general, docking a dog’s tail is illegal, but exemptions are made if tail removal is necessary for medical reasons. However, this is only applied to certain breeds, which are defined differently in different parts of the UK. 

c. Ear cropping or docking 

Cropping the whole or a part of a dog’s ears is an illegal procedure that will cause the dog so much pain. It will also damage the way they communicate with other pets as well as their owners. Penalties of up to six months in prison and an unlimited fine are the punishment for ear cropping or docking.  

d .Cruelty 

Subjecting your dog to any unnecessary suffering is a criminal offence. You are considered committing animal cruelty whether you take part in, refused to stop, or permit someone else to do the act. These acts can include from physical violence to deliberate mental stress.  

2. Laws on Handling your Dog in Your Home, Private Property, or in Public 

Canine aggression is a common problem when it comes to dogs because of its frequency and consequences towards them and the people around them. Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 tackles the problem by making dangerously out of control dogs as a criminal offence. This applies to dogs that made someone feel at risk to sustaining injuries from the dog.  

When your dog is proven to be “dangerously out of control,” you or the person in charge of your dog can be charged with a fine, compensation, and costs. Unfortunately, the dog can be even be seized by the authorities and humanely destroyed. The following expands on where it’s against the law to allow your dog be dangerously out of control. 

a. In Your Home or Someone Else’s Property 

Any dog can be considered to be dangerously out of control regardless of its size or breed.  

Allowing your dog to be “dangerously out of control” is against the law, whether you are at your own home or someone else’s property.  

Don’t allow your dog to be a threat to delivery drivers, postal workers, health workers, or other professionals who may visit your property. A dog doesn’t have to bite or physically injure someone for an offence to take place. 

• Dog Barking  

While it’s natural for dogs to bark sometimes, they can be quite a noisy nuisance to your neighbours if they bark persistently over a long period. This usually means they are distressed mostly because of separation anxiety, wanting attention, or feeling worried about something. Find out why your dog has been making excessive noise for a long time to help them get through their feelings of distress.  

 b. In Public 

• Cleaning up after your dog 

Dog fouling is a common problem in a lot of public areas. Not only does this create a mess and a nuisance for other people, but it’s responsible for passing on nasty parasites that can cause illness in people, livestock, and wild animals.  

Local authorities try to solve this problem legally required pet owners to clean up after your dog. It’s a good habit to get to keep the streets tidy. Of course, owners of assistance dogs who have a disability that prevents them from cleaning up after their dog are exempted from these rules. Still, it’s a good habit to clean up after your dog even if it is not legally required, as it means you won’t be responsible for the spread of an illness.  

• Dogs on Leads 

It’s unnecessary to keep dogs on a lead at all times, but there are certain places where they have to be leashed, like designated pedestrian zones and on land where livestock is present. Look out for signage detailing restrictions and check your local council’s websites for details of any restricted areas.  

c. Out of Control in Public  

Dogs must not be allowed to be dangerously out of control, meaning injuring someone or making someone fear of a possible attack. If a dog behaves dangerously, the dog warden may seize any dog that behaves dangerously, while their owners would be prosecuted.  

The court can either make a destruction order, control order with conditions that ensure public safety, or disqualify the owner from dog ownership. Additionally, the owner will be ordered to pay the costs of bringing the proceedings.  

3. Breeding (Dog Breed Laws and Selling)  

People who are considering buying or adopting a dog needs to be aware of dog breeding and sale laws to ensure you are getting a dog from someone meeting welfare standards for dogs as required by the law.  

Licence requirements differ in all constituent parts of the UK. In Wales and England, breeders must be licenced if more than three litters are produced per year, and at least one puppy is sold in 12 months. Meanwhile, breeders in Scotland must be licenced if they make more than five litters a year.   

4. Dog Identification  

The law requires dog owners that their pets have two forms of identification when in a public place: microchipping and a collar with a tag.  

• Microchipping 

Since 2006, it became necessary to microchip dogs and puppies over the age of eight weeks with their owner’s details registered an authorised database. Microchipping ensures that you can easily reunite with your pet should they ever lose their way. Owners should also keep their details up to date. Exemptions are made to dogs with valid health reasons not to get one.  

• Collar and Tag  

When you take your dog out in a public place, they must wear a collar and a tag with the owner’s name and address. Even if your dog already has a microchip, it’s still necessary to wear their collars.  

5. Travelling with your Dog  

a. Walking Your Dog by a Road  

Local authorities often assign designated roads that require owners to keep their dogs on lead while walking. These designated roads help prevent accidents like losing your dog or them running into traffic. Keep an eye out for road sections marked with signs when walking your dog, as these indicate these designated roads.  

b. Dogs and Road Traffic Accidents  

• • A Dog Sustaining Injuries on the Road 

When a driver injures your dog with their vehicle, they must give their name and address to you or the person you left in charge of the dog. If a dog is without its owner, the driver should report the incident to the police within 24 hours.  

• • A Dog Injuring Someone on the Road  

Victims can pursue a compensation claim if a dog is proven liable to a road accident that results in injury, illness, or death. Legal costs are expensive, running into tens of thousands of pounds without insurance. As such, dog owners should take out third-party liability insurance to protect against any costs or compensation needed to pay if your dog causes an accident. 

• • Dogs in Cars  

When in a vehicle, dogs are required to be suitably restrained to avoid distractions while driving. An unsecured dog can get thrown forward during a crash, which can result in your dog getting injured or worse. Depending on the size of your dog, the driver or passengers could also get injured or killed. Use a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage, or dog guard to restrain your pet in cars.  

Knowing the regulations can be helpful, and they’re essential to keeping you, your dog, and everyone else safe and happy. Just by being a responsible pet owner, you are already compliant with these regulations. Dog safety regulations cover a lot and change from time to time, so make sure to keep updated with the laws in your locale so you can ensure constant compliance.