This is an overview from a government website that some of you might find interesting. There is a lot of confusion currently Overview It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control: in a public place in a private place where the dog isn’t allowed to be (eg a neighbour’s house or garden without permission) The law applies to all dogs. Some types of dogs are banned. Out of control Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it: injures someone makes someone worried that it might injure them A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if: it injures someone’s animal the owner of the animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal A farmer is allowed to kill your dog if it’s worrying their livestock. Penalties You can be fined up to £5,000 and/or sent to prison for up to 6 months if your dog is out of control. You may also not be allowed to own a dog in the future. If you let your dog injure someone, you can be sent to prison for up to 2 years and/or fined. If you deliberately use your dog to injure someone you could be charged with ‘malicious wounding’. The maximum penalty is 5 years in prison.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:42:34 +0000