Gathering Legal Information (UK only) - Please help if you can

[Josie]

We're looking to create a new section dedicated to UK legal information that could be really useful for dog owners.

If there is any information that you think would be important to share on the forum then please let me know below and we can take it from there.

Thank you all

 

[arealhuman]

What constitutes a dangerous or out of control dog would be useful. I think with these things it's also important to quote your source (Wikipedia might limit any credibility!).

 

[Josie]

yes that's a good one @arealhuman - yes we are looking for credited sources only with this. Gov.uk, Kennel club etc.

I will add this to my list and look into it.

 

[Caro Perry]

You mean like this one? Controlling your dog in public - GOV.UK

 

[JudyN]

Then there's the laws about wearing dog tags and what they must have on them, and where you are obliged by law to pick up poos (in the absence of signs saying that you must, or that you can 'kick and flick').

 

[JoanneF]

Happy to contribute, I can do something later this week. Just assign me a topic, I don't mind what I write about. Is there interest in breed specific legislation?

 

[arealhuman]

From a new owner's perspective, all of the above are great suggestions. Perhaps you could have an "if you're new to owning a dog, this is what you need to do..." section, with legal requirements listed (chipping, collar, etc). Sorry, I don't mean to derail what you're trying to do.

 

[Violet Turner]

Do you by law need a tag on the dogs collar? Olive doesn't nor will Doris unless absolutely necessary (law)

 

[JudyN]

Do you by law need a tag on the dogs collar? Olive doesn't nor will Doris unless absolutely necessary (law)

Yes, they must wear one, whether microchipped or not, whenever out of the house. It needs to have your name & address, including post code, on it.

 

[Violet Turner]

Yes, they must wear one, whether microchipped or not, whenever out of the house. It needs to have your name & address, including post code, on it.

okay thanks...

 

[Biker John]

Not quite right, the dog needs to carry identification as stated, but it can be carried on the collar, eg written on it. But in general a tag is easier.

 

[Violet Turner]

Not quite right, the dog needs to carry identification as stated, but it can be carried on the collar, eg written on it. But in general a tag is easier.

okay thanks

 

[doggie1]

Yes, they must wear one, whether microchipped or not, whenever out of the house. It needs to have your name & address, including post code, on it.

I didn't know that, better get a tag. I do object to having my address on it, I like to keep my details private, a mobile phone number should be enough.

 

[JudyN]

I do object to having my address on it, I like to keep my details private, a mobile phone number should be enough.

It possibly should be enough, but it's a legal requirement. And could be vital if, say, your phone had been stolen, or dropped down the loo, or you'd got a new phone with a new number and forgot to get a new tag.

 

[Sezzy]

I didn't know that, better get a tag. I do object to having my address on it, I like to keep my details private, a mobile phone number should be enough.

On ours we just have a surname, phone number, house number and postcode; I don’t believe your full address needs to be on it.

 

[Biker John]

Doggie1 and Sezzy, the actual law says:

In the UK, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 states that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag.

So to comply with the law just a phone number will not be enough.

As an aside I do at times wonder about things like Agility shows and Whippet racing were for the dogs safety collars are not worn. I guess it depends how a public place is defined

 

[Sezzy]

Will have to get a huge medallion to fit it all on

 

[JudyN]

House number and postcode I would have thought would suffice, as you can easily find the full address from this.

 

[arealhuman]

Without looking at Jimmy's tag, I think he has house number, post code, mobile number. Mobiles are ubiquitous now, so it makes sense. If I used our landline number, they'd be lucky to reach anyone. Interestingly, I was advised not to put the dog's name on there in case it's stolen - the thief can act like they know the dog and get it to respond to its name.

 

[Violet Turner]

I sometimes never put Olive's collar on with no tag so should i buy multiple. Will Doris need one?