Apologies for the slightly sensational headline, but our dogs are seriously at risk from the UK law, and most of us do not even know it!
The background
To be clear I fully appreciate & value the rule of law and being a decent citizen.
However, there are risks that relate to our dogs that all us guardians should be aware of to keep them safe from unnecessary accidents & regrets.
The two UK laws below relate specifically to dogs and their guardians and many of us are unaware of these laws and their potentially serious implications so I wanted to write a blog highlighting both of them:
- Dangerous Dog Act, DDA
- Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act , DPLA
What it actually means
The DPLA states that “your dog must not worry (chase or attack) livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and poultry) on agricultural land”.The DPLA allows farmers to shoot dogs that are deemed to be “worrying livestock” without warning.
The DDA makes it a criminal offence for the owner (or person in charge of the dog) to allow a dog to be ‘dangerously out of control’ in a public place, a place where it is not permitted to be, and some other areas.
‘Dangerously out of control’ is defined as a dog that has caused injury BUT ALSO a dog that a person has ‘grounds’ for reasonable apprehension that it may do so.
These ‘grounds’ can include chasing, barking or jumping up at a person.
This can ultimately result in the dog being euthanised and the guardian being given a 6 month prison sentence.
This is scary stuff as lets be honest we have all been there with our dogs when by some of these definitions they are ‘out of control’!
Why consider now?
Following the well publicised sad news about the cockapoo that was shot by a farmer it just highlights that this is a very real danger and tragedy that none of us want to suffer.
I hope that by gaining a better awareness of the law it makes us all more aware of our legal responsibilities as dog guardians and most importantly we keep them safe and able to enjoy themselves.
10 things you must do to protect your dogs and yourself, and keep everyone safe within the law:
- Be aware of the legal principles, implications and your responsibilities
- Take full responsibility for your dogs, as their guardian
- If in any doubt keep your dog away from any potential trouble situation
- Always keep them fully under your control, as defined above
- Use the awareness accessories, such as a ‘nervous dog’ lead or harness if your dog needs it
- You know your dog better than anyone, if a lead and muzzle is needed use it – I can assure you from personal experience the dog can still have a happy & enriched life
- Apply common sense to a situation, don’t let your dog run up to people
- Really invest and nail the training basics – be it a puppy, rescue or any dog whatever the size! – this especially includes bite inhibition and off lead recall
- Respect the reality that non ‘dog people’ may be fearful of your dog, perhaps assume that is the case unless they tell you
- Search out & use the appropriate environment for your dog – if your dog is nervous around kids don’t take it to a park where you know kids play
So I ask that once you have read this blog, process what it is telling you and share it to any dog guardians you know so that we can all stay on the right side of the law and keep our pooches safe (and protect ourselves too).
In this instance knowledge really is the power to keep our dogs and us away from unnecessary consequences.
