Dog laws UK: Nine rules all dog owners must know or face £1,000 fine

Editor

23rd Feb 2022, 2:43pm

These are the nine laws dog owners need to be aware of - or face fines of up to £1,000.

Dogs are known as man’s best friend for good reason and living with a four-legged friend can be extremely rewarding. However, for pet owners unware of these laws, it could also end up costing them a packet.

According to animal charity, PDSA, 28 percent of UK adults have a dog - that’s an estimated population of 10.6 million pet dogs. The PAW PDSA Animal Wellbeing report 2024 revealed the dog population has been growing steadily since 2011 when it was 8.2 million dogs.

While these tail-waggers offer a great source of companionship, owning a pet does of course come with a lot of responsibilities too. While keeping an animal well fed, healthy and loved are the first things people might consider when caring for a pet, there’s a lot more besides.

Not being aware of the legal requirements, for example, could land owners in trouble with the law and handed a hefty fine. SO, if you are a dog owner, or are considering becoming one, here are the nine laws you really ought to be aware of.

(Composite: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)

1. (Composite: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)

(Composite: Mark Hall / JPIMedia) | Mark Hall / JPIMedia

It is a legal requirement to have your dog microchipped in the UK by the time your dog is eight weeks old. They must be registered with a database that meets government standards, such a Pet Log. Owners can be fined up to £500 for failing to do so and could have a court case filed against them.

2. Dogs must be microchipped

It is a legal requirement to have your dog microchipped in the UK by the time your dog is eight weeks old. They must be registered with a database that meets government standards, such a Pet Log. Owners can be fined up to £500 for failing to do so and could have a court case filed against them. | rh2010 - stock.adobe.com

It is against the law to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public or private space. A dog is out of control if it injures someone, makes someone worried it might injure them, or attacks someone’s animal. An unlimited fine or six month prison sentence can be issued (or both) if a dog is out of control, and owners may be banned from having a dog in the future. If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to five years or fined (or both).

3. Dogs must be kept under control

It is against the law to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public or private space. A dog is out of control if it injures someone, makes someone worried it might injure them, or attacks someone’s animal. An unlimited fine or six month prison sentence can be issued (or both) if a dog is out of control, and owners may be banned from having a dog in the future. If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to five years or fined (or both). | Milan - stock.adobe.com

A dog must not chase or attack livestock on agricultural land and should be kept on a lead. If your dog is worrying livestock, a farmer has a right to stop your dog and even shoot it in some circumstances.

4. Dogs must be kept away from livestock

A dog must not chase or attack livestock on agricultural land and should be kept on a lead. If your dog is worrying livestock, a farmer has a right to stop your dog and even shoot it in some circumstances. | DON - stock.adobe.com

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