Becoming a dog parent is not just about the excitement of raising a pet; it involves complying with the laws and ensuring responsible pet ownership to uphold dog safety.
Dog safety is not limited to securing the safety of your dog; it also deals with ensuring your dog does not harm other people or animals. This is why there are regulations in the United Kingdom and across the globe covering the different aspects of owning a dog. These laws protect both the pets and their owners, as well as the people around them.
Laws on Handling Your Dog in Public Spaces
Checking your local authority’s website is a good practice so you can find out any particular regulations on dogs in your location. But in general, these are the laws that apply in England and Wales.
Dog fouling
Cleaning your dog’s poop has always ranked first in the list of complaints local councils receive. You must clean your dog’s poop in public places1. If you don’t comply, you can be required to pay a fine of £100 to £1000.
However, registered blind people with assistance dogs to guide them as they walk are exempted from this rule.
Dogs on leads
While there is no universal law that requires dogs to be kept on a lead in public places, there are areas where dogs should be walked with a leash2. Several local authorities have implemented Public Spaces Protection Orders to restrict dogs from being walked on a lead in some public spaces in the past two years.
Dogs that are Out of Control in Public Areas
Dogs of any breed or type should not be dangerously out of control or in a state that could scare people of being injured. Owners or guardians who allow their pets to hurt another person will pay an unlimited fine3, face up to three years in prison for injury, or 14 years for death. They will also be disqualified from owning pets and their dog will be put down. Note that it’s also an offence to let a dog injure a registered assistance dog.
Dogs and Livestock
Dog owners should prevent their pets from attacking livestock, running after livestock, or being off lead in a field with sheep around4. Now, what if you feel threatened by livestock? It is recommended5 that you let go of the lead because most dogs can outrun a cow, and the threat animals see is usually the dog and not you.
If you break the law, the maximum fine you can face as the dog owner is up to £1,000. Also, do not forget that farmers can shoot dogs if they believe your pets are worrying livestock on their land6.
Dogs in restaurants, cafes, and pubs
Owners of food and drink establishments have the right to decide whether they would welcome dogs or not to their business7. There is no law banning dogs from entering such places but they should not enter kitchens or any area where the food is handled, stored or prepared.
Laws on Identification
When in public, dogs should have a microchip and a collar with a tag so they can be identified. Breeders and owners who do not get their dog microchipped could be fined up to £500 and subject to criminal prosecution8.
Meanwhile, owners can be fined up to £2,000 if dogs do not wear collars with the owner’s name and address on them in public spaces9. So even if your pet is microchipped, you are still required to attach a collar to your dog.
Laws around Lost and Found, or Stray Dogs
If you find a stray dog and wish to keep them, you must first communicate with the dog warden. If you do not contact him, you can be accused of stealing. Before thinking of owning a stray dog, you should first try to reunite them with their owner if you know who they are or report to the dog warden if you don’t know who the owner is. In England and Wales, the local authorities are responsible for stray dogs, not the police. If the owner cannot claim their dog after seven days, the authority can either find a new home for the dog or euthanise them10.
Illegal kinds of dogs
These are the four dogs that are illegal to breed, sell, abandon, give, or own in England or Wales:
- Japanese tosa
- Pit bull terrier
- Fila Brasileiro
- Dogo Argentino
These four dogs are characterised by what they look like. The dog’s breed, their parents’ breeds, or behaviour do not define such dogs., Owners who could have been told their dog belongs to one of these kinds can apply to the court for an exemption order11. Dogs that look illegal can go through a behavioural assessment which can prove they are not harmful to society. Dogs who fail this evaluation will be put down. During the test, the police are allowed12 to let dogs be returned to their owners while waiting for a court date, as long as they deem these dogs safe.
On the other hand, if dogs pass the exemption process, they must be muzzled and kept on a lead whenever in public. Owners should also apply for third-party liability insurance for their dogs.
Laws around Dog Breeding and Selling
Anyone in England who breeds three or more litters in a year and sells one or more puppies must be licensed by the local council. Licensed breeders must pass minimum welfare standards. For those breeding dogs as a form of a hobby, licences are not required. In both Wales and England, it is not legal to sell puppies who are not yet eight weeks old13.
Laws around Animal Welfare
Ensuring your dog is healthy and contented
Every British pet owner is obligated to provide for their pets’ welfare essentials. All domestic animals have the legal right to eat an appropriate diet, live in a good environment, and be protected from suffering, illness, pain or injury14.
Dog owners who cannot guarantee to meet their pet’s welfare needs could be prosecuted and could cause harm to an animal under their care. If you break the law above, you could be taken to court, sent to jail for up to 51 weeks and required to pay a fine of up to £20,000.
Electric shock collars
It is prohibited to make your dog wear collars that give an electric shock15. If you break the law and make your dog or cat wear such collars, you can be imprisoned for up to 51 weeks and face a fine of up to £20,000.
Tail docking
It is illegal to dock a pet dog’s tail, partially or wholly16. There can be exemptions if tail removal is necessary for medical purposes. Also, if the dog will become a working dog, a puppy’s tail can be docked if they are younger than five days old. If you break the law, you could be imprisoned for a maximum of two years and face an unlimited fine.
Ear docking
Docking a dog’s ears (whether partially or wholly) is also illegal in England and Wales17. This is a harmful process that damages the way dogs communicate with other animals and humans. If you break the law, you could be sent to jail for a maximum of six months or pay an unlimited fine.
Cruelty
This goes without saying: cruelty against animals is a criminal act. If you allow a dog to unnecessarily suffer, you could be imprisoned for six months and face a £20,000 fine18.
Laws at Home and in Someone Else’s Private Property
Controlling your dog in your own house or someone else’s property
Letting your dog be ‘dangerously out of control’ is illegal whether on private property or in public19. There could be an exemption if a dog bites a person who has no right to be in your house, such as a robber. If you break the law and your dog hurts someone in their property, you could be prosecuted.
Dog barking a lot
Dogs that bark over a long time can become a nuisance to your neighbours10. If you break the law, your local authority’s environmental health department can ask you to stop your pet from continuing the behaviour, which can be considered as a ‘statutory nuisance’.
Laws on the Roads and Dog Car Safety
Walking your dog
Your local authority has the right to ask you to keep your dog on a lead when you are walking on designated roads, which are chosen by your local authority and should be distinguished with signs20.
If your dog is hurt or injured on the road
Drivers who injure dogs with their vehicle, motorbike, or car must give their name and address to the owner or the person taking care of the dog21. If there is no individual accompanying the dog at the time, the driver should report the incident to the police within a day.
If your dog injures a person on the road
Claims can be raised against dog owners22 who are proven liable if their pet causes a road incident that led to illness, injury, or loss of life. It is recommended that dog owners avail of third-party liability insurance to protect against any costs or compensation owners need to pay if their dog causes an accident.
Travelling with your dog in a car or other vehicle
Dogs and other pets need to be adequately restrained, so they cannot distract owners while driving or injure them if drivers stop abruptly23. Remember, during a crash, an unsecured dog will be thrown forward with an impactful force, which could result in hurting your dog and injuring—or killing—other passengers or the driver.
Laws on Dog Kennels
Establishments in Wales that board dogs using kennels either overnight or during daytime must be licensed by the local council24. Meanwhile, in England, board dogs using kennels either overnight or during daytime must be licensed by the local authority25.
Home boarding
Individuals who run a business looking after dogs in their property need a licence to operate from their local authority25. Home dog boarders need a licence if their goal is to make a profit or earn commissions or fees. They must keep dogs within their property.
Daycare for dogs
Establishments that provide daycare for dogs at business grounds must be licensed by the local council25. If you are searching for day care for your pet, you can with your local authority for a list of licensed day care providers for dogs.
Professional dog walking
There is no countrywide law covering professional dog walking in England. But some local authorities require individuals who operate dog walking businesses to be licensed.
Bottomline
Being a dog parent truly comes with a lot of responsibilities, but if you keep these laws in mind, you can be sure your dogs are protected at all times and will not harm other people or animals. Before going to any place or country, review the specific laws in that place so you can ensure compliance.
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Disclaimer: This website does not belong to a law firm and we cannot provide legal advice.
Notes:
1 Environmental Protection Act (1990), Litter (Animal Droppings) Order 1991 and the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, The Countryside Code.
2 Road Traffic Act 1988, section 27 and Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 in England and Wales.
3 Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, section 3 in England and Wales
4 Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, Animals Act 1971, section 3 and Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 in England and Wales
5 The Countryside Code
6 Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, Animals Act 1971, section 3
7 Food Hygiene Regulations 2013, under EU Regulation (EC) 852/2004, Annex II
8 Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 and Microchipping of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2015
9 Control of Dogs Order 1992
10 Environmental Protection Act 1990
11 Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997
12 The Dangerous Dogs Exemption Scheme (England and Wales) Order 2015
13 Pet Animals Act 1951, Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999, Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014, and The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
14 Animal Welfare Act 2006, section 9
15 Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (Wales) Regulations 2010
16 Docking of Working Dogs Tails (England) Regulations 2007 and the Docking of Working Dogs Tails (Wales) Regulations 2007
17Animal Welfare Act 2006, section 5 (mutilation)
18 Animal Welfare Act 2006, section 32
19 Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, sections 106 and 107 which amends the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
20 Road Traffic Act 1988, section 27
21 Road Traffic Act 1988, section 170
22 Animals Act 1971, section 2
23 The Highway Code
24 Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
25 Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
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