Dog fouling
Dog mess is not only unpleasant but it spreads diseases which can cause
illness and even blindness.
Under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 a person who is in charge of a dog must clean up after it when it fouls any footpath, highway, verge or other open space to which the public have access.
The law does not apply to:
Always make sure that you clean up after your dog and put the waste in a dog bin or dustbin.
Dog Prohibition Areas
There are a number of places in the borough where dogs are banned,
with the exception of guide dogs. These dog prohibition areas are mostly
children’s play areas and cemeteries and are patrolled by dog wardens.
Anyone taking a dog into one of these areas could be taken to Court where
a fine of up to £500 can be given.
If you wish to report an offence, contact the dog wardens
~ Search for your Dog Warden
Avoid walking your dog near a children’s play area or in a cemetery - there will be many other places nearby where you can walk your dog.
Dogs on Leads Areas
Your dog should always be kept under control in public places, but
in some areas there are byelaws which state that dogs must be kept on a
lead (with the exception of guide dogs). These areas are in ornamental
gardens, bowling greens, and pitch and putt areas and are patrolled by
dog wardens.
Anyone taking a dog into one of these areas without a lead could be
taken to Court where a fine of up to £500 can be given. If you wish
to report an offence, contact the dog warden
~ Search for your Dog Warden
Stray dogs
The Council has a duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990
to catch dogs that appear to be strays. Police Officers may also catch
strays, but do not have a duty to do so, although they must accept any
stray dogs brought in to the Police Station.
All stray dogs are kept at kennels for 7 days after which they may be sold, given to The Dogs Trust for rehoming or destroyed, although dogs are normally only destroyed if they are very ill or vicious.
If your dog has gone missing you should contact your local Police or your dog warden who will let you know if it has been picked up. If you wish to reclaim the dog you must do so within 7 days and you will have to pay the boarding fees plus a charge of £25.
If you find a stray dog, you are required by law to return it to the owner or to contact the dog warden who will arrange to collect it. If you find a stray dog outside of normal office hours you must take it to the nearest police station.
If you wish to keep the dog, you must have written permission from the police or dog warden, and you will have to keep it for at least one month.
Barking dogs
Constant barking and howling is annoying to neighbours and could result
in us taking legal action against you for causing a noise nuisance.
Boarding Kennels
The Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963 requires boarding kennels
for cats and dogs to be licensed by your local authority.
Dog Breeding
Under the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999, no person can
keep a breeding establishment for dogs except under a licence granted by
your local authority. If you own 5 or more breeding bitches and they produce
5 or more litters per year or your premises are used solely for the purpose
of breeding dogs then you will require a Dog Breeding Licence.
Collar and identity tags
Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, all dogs must wear a collar and
identity tag in a public place. The tag must show the owner’s name and
address. The dog wardens enforce this law and fines of up to £5000
can be given by the Courts for an offence.
If you wish to report an offence, contact the dog wardens
~ Search for your Dog Warden
Always make sure that your dog wears a collar and tag, even if microchipped.
Microchipping
One of the best ways to ensure that your dog is returned if it is lost
is to have it microchipped.
A tiny microchip (the size of a grain of rice) is painlessly inserted in the skin at the back of the dog’s neck. This has a unique code number which is entered onto a national PetLog computer database together with the owner’s name and address. If the dog is found, a scanner is passed over the microchip and the owner can be identified.
GSD Helpline can offer microchipping in certain areas
~ See .
Dangerous dogs
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, bans the ownership, breeding, sale (both
national and international) and exchange of certain types of fighting dogs
– the ban currently covers pure breeds and cross breeds with the same physical
and behavioural characteristics as the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa,
Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero. The maximum fine for having a banned
dog is £5000 and/or 6 months in prison and the dog may be destroyed.
Section 3 of the act applies to all dogs that are dangerously out of control in a public place (it does not apply to dogs in their own garden who jump up at visitors). If a dog acts in a way in which someone fears they will be attacked, then an offence is committed. The fines are up to £5000 and/or 6 months in prison and the Courts may order the dog to be destroyed.
A Police Officer or dog warden may seize a banned dog or a dog that is dangerously out of control. If you wish to report a dangerous dog, contact the Police or the dog wardens . The Courts can also issue a warrant for the police to enter a building and seize a dog.
