It’s something many dog owners don’t think about, but could you unknowingly be breaking the law while out with your dog?
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Many of us, when asked what is the Dangerous Dog Act is. Automatically we often think about the recent XL bully law, but there’s a lot more to it than that.
The law can be complicated to understand, We are hoping to explain in a simple way.
We hope to educate owners to ensure they aren’t unknowingly committing an offence.
What is in the dangerous dog act?
Section 1:
The law applies to any dog bred for fighting:
Dog Breeds prohibited – the pit bull terrier , Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Bila Brasileiro and most recently added the XL bully (American).
This section of the law states it is against the law to sell, abandon, give away or breed any of the dogs who come under the breed list above.
Owners of theses said breeds are advised to apply for a certificate of exemption, which last for the lifetime of the dog.
The dog must be:
- Neutered/spayed
- Fitted with a microchip
- Kept on lead and muzzled at all times when in public.
- Kept in a secure place so it can’t escape
- Owners must take out appropriate insurance.
Section 3: Keeping dogs under proper control
This states if a dog is out of control in any place in England or Wales – whether or not in a public space you are guilty of the offence.
The owner or the person in charge of the dog at the time, is guilty of an offence.
This can also include a family member, your walker/sitter who is caring for your dog. Along with incidents do not have to accrue in a public place, even in your home/garden you could be held liable.
If the dog injuries a person or an assistance dog, this is regarded as a aggravated offence.
The law classes a injury as anything from a scratch, bruise, a scrape or even a bump.
Theses injuries do not have to be caused by your dogs teeth.
As dog owners and pet professionals, we know how easily theses injuries can happen when dogs get exuberant, even with excitement but this could land you in some muddy water.
Under section 3 a dog can be deemed dangerously out of control without causing a injury too.
Dangerously out of control can be defined as an occasion where there are grounds someone could believe the dog will injure any person/them.
(For example: Walking in a public space and a unknown dog jumps up at someone whether or not they leave a mark, if that person feels they could have been injured there is room for them to prosecute).
No one wants to get in trouble and there are measures we can take to ensure we respect others and share our public spaces respectfully.
Our dogs see the world differently, they can cause harm by simply jumping up to say hello, and this can land you in trouble..
How can you make sure your dog isn’t falling short of the law?
- Have your dog on lead
- Have them on a long line
- Work on their recall
- Train an emergency stop
- train then to get down from jumping at a distance.
- Respect others
- Listen to others when they ask you to put your dog on lead/recall your dog.
Would you like advice on dog training? contact us: https://www.hoof-paws.co.uk/contact/
If you find yourself being accused of having a dangerous dog, We’d recommend contacting the following.
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Hoof & Paws has joined https://www.instagram.com/petbusinesssupport/by Charlotte Perrott and has joined in on the blog circle. Here is a blog on the above subject of jargon terms with a different perspective: https://www.finchleydogwalker.co.uk/jargon-busting-for-dog-walkers.html
