The Legalities of Owning a Dog

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Dogs make great pets and are widely considered to be ‘man’s best friend.’ However, as a dog owner, it’s important to be aware of your responsibilities. There are over 20 laws in the UK regarding dog ownership and this quick guide will give an overview of some of the main ones so you can make sure you are looking after your furry friend correctly.

Dog Welfare

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 says that all domestic animals have the legal right to live in a suitable environment, eat a suitable diet and exhibit normal behaviour patterns. They should also be housed with – or apart from – other animals as appropriate and need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease. Dog owners who fail to meet animal welfare standards are at risk of prosecution and the maximum sentence is 6 months imprisonment along with an unlimited fine and a ban on keeping animals.

Dog Identification

In England, all dogs legally need to be microchipped and they must wear a dog collar with a tag when out in public. Microchipping is straightforward and inexpensive and can be done quickly at your local vets. If you’re buying a puppy, it is the breeder’s responsibility to microchip your new pup before you bring him or her home.

Nowadays there are many types and designs of collars you can get for your pooch including leather dog collars, martingale collars for long-neck breeds and plenty of fun designs. Be sure to have a tag too with your details on it. Dog tags must contain the owner’s name and address as a minimum but it’s a good idea to have your telephone number on there too, just in case your dog goes missing.

Dog Fouling

Dog fouling is a huge problem faced by councils across the country even though the law states you must clean up after your dog. Owners who don’t pick up their dog’s mess can be fined up to £1,000. We’ve all seen the signs in local parks, but not cleaning up after your dog makes more than just a mess.

Canine faeces contains bacteria, which can be harmful to humans and wildlife and it can also contain parasites that can spread to grass. If this is then accidentally ingested, for example, by a young child playing on the grass and then touching their hands to their mouth, then it can cause toxocariasis. This is a rare condition but it most often affects young children who have come into contact with roundworms from dog or cat faeces and in seven out of ten cases, leads to permanent blindness. Your dog’s waste can also be harmful to cattle and cause pregnant cows to miscarry or give birth to a calf infected with Neospora, which will then need to be put down to prevent the disease from spreading.

That’s why it’s so vital to pick up after your dog no matter where they do their business and only owners of assistance dogs (for example, a guide dog for the blind) are exempt.