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Your dog and…..Responsible dog ownership
As a dog owner you have responsibilities for the behaviour of your dog.. control and
DOG FOULING
Dog mess is unpleasant and dangerous. Dog faeces can carry a disease called Toxocariasis, which can cause blindness in young children.
THE LAW
It is an offence for a dog walker not to remove their dogs’ faeces from public land. Dog Wardens carry out regular patrols and can issue £50 fixed penalty fines to dog owners who do not pick up mess made by their animals.
Failure to pay the fixed penalty could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1000
THE SOLUTION
· Always keep a supply of bags or a poop scoop with you on dog walks. It is your responsibility to clean up after your dog. If there is not a dog bin nearby, take your bag home with you and dispose of it in your dustbin.
· Report others who do not obey this rule to your local Dog Warden.
· Ensure your dog is wormed regularly to prevent the spread of Toxocariasis. Make sure children wash their hands after playing with dogs.
NOISY DOGS
A dog that persistently barks, howls or whines can cause serious annoyance to neighbours. Owners are often aware of the problem, especially if it happens when the dog is left alone while they are at work.
THE LAW
If your pet causes a noise nuisance to your neighbours, you may be served with a Noise Abatement Notice.
If the problem continues after the Notice, the Council may prosecute and you could face a fine of up to £5000 and costs.
In serious cases, the council may ask the courts for a warrant to confiscate the animal – and if that happens, you may not get it back!
THE SOLUTION
· Ask your neighbours if your dog barks or howls when you are out.
· Consult a behaviourist if the problem is persistent.
· There are many ways to prevent dog barking, including anti-barking collars.
· Contact the Dog Warden if you are having problems with a neighbour’s barking dog.
STRAY DOGS
Dogs that are not under proper control can cause road accidents, attack and seriously injure children, attack livestock and foul public and private land.
THE LAW
The council has a legal duty to collect strays and take them to a pound.
Dog Wardens will try and return a stray to an owner the first time he is caught. On subsequent occasions, or when the address is not known, the dog will be taken straight to kennels.
Owners will have to pay £25 plus costs AND a daily kennelling fee to get their dogs back. Any dog not claimed within seven days becomes the legal property of the council and will be re-homed.
It is an offence for a dog to be in a public place without a collar and tag bearing the name and address of its owner. Failure to comply with this law can result in prosecution and a heavy fine of up to £5000 and/or six months imprisonment.
THE SOLUTION
· Ensure you dog has an up to date collar and tag on at all times.
· Keep your dog on the lead or under close control across farmland. Farmers may shoot if their livestock is threatened.
· Make sure your garden is escape proof.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE LOST MY DOG?
· Contact the dog warden, they may have collected or seen the dog.
· Inform the police, veterinary practices and neighbouring councils.
· Have your dog micro chipped. This greatly increases the chance of being re-united with your pet.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FIND A DOG?
· Try to establish that the dog is really a stray, and his owner in not nearby.
· Try to contact the owner if the dog has an identity tag.
· If there is no tag, contact your local dog warden.
