More recently the 1971 Animals Act gives farmer the right to shoot a dog that worries livestock - without warning. The 1988 Road Traffic Act include the statement that dogs must be on a lead when near roads. The Guard Dog Act of 1975 says the handler must be able to control the dog and give a verbal warning before releasing his dog to search.
In conversation with friends, the only dog law they seemed to know was concerned with the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991. This is really unfortunate because the Animal Welfare Act of 2007; which covers cruelty to animals, people causing unnecessary suffering to animals, dog fighting, tail docking and the sale of dogs; is far more important, not for any of those but for the rights it gives to dogs.The rights, the 2007 Animal Welfare Act gives to dogs are:
1. The right to a suitable environment in which to live, with other dogs or alone
2. The right to a suitable diet
3. The right to have the opportunity to behave like a dog - run, play and exercise
4. The right to be protected from pain suffering injury and disease.
The person responsible for the dog must take "such steps as reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal, for which you are responsible are met to the extent required by good practice." You are responsible for an animal if you are the owner, in charge of it, a parent or guardian of a minor who is in charge of the dog.
Obviously I give mention of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 - which applies to every single dog in England & Wales. It is a criminal offence if a dog is "dangerously out of control in a public place". The obvious question is what is meant by "dangerously out of control" - it means if there are reasonable fears that the dog will injure any person. Police have the power to seize such a dog. If an injury is caused, to a person, then there is a presumption in favour of destruction of the dog.
This Act ties in with the 1871 Dogs Act, which is a civil complaint, which applies regardless of where any incident takes place, and proceedings can only be brought against the owner. Thus is possible if a dog shows itself to be dangerous in its general behaviour, not just in a single incident. Less severe punishment can follow from this law, as the the court has no powers to fine or order compensation but does have unfettered discretion on what to do with the dog. For the first time in England & Wales, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 proscribed certain types of dog:
Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Braziliero
Other laws to mention are the Environmental Protection Act 1990 which gives local councils control over nuisance, which includes excessive barking. The council would be able to take action following a complaint from a member of the public. Control of Dogs Order, 1992, states a collar must be worn in public showing name and address of owner. Dogs without a collar may be seized by the police.
Dog Control Orders (DCO), come from the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act of 2005, and give local councils the power to make orders regarding dogs in their area.
There are five offences which may be prescribed in a DCO,which may result in a fine of up to £1000:
- failing to remove dog faeces
- not keeping a dog on a lead (the length can be specified)
- not putting and keeping, a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer (the length can be specified)
- permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded
- taking more than a specified number of dogs onto land
So dog owner in the United Kingdom, have a lot of laws to keep on the right side of or they will have to suffer the consequences of any transgressions.
Roy Dickinson of http://www.totrainmydog.com, is a dog trainer of many years as well a writer. He'll help you find those little tips and tricks to make your dog training easier. You'll find many of these tips and other information on his website To Train My Dog.
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