NEW powers were introduced on Oct 2014 which allow councils and the police to tackle nuisance dogs and irresponsible owners.

 

The changes in the law, under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, which came into force are designed to crack down on irresponsible dog owners.

 

From now on, owners face fines of up to £2,500 if they fail to take steps preventing dog attacks, and authorities in England and Wales have been given the power to order owners to muzzle their dogs, keep them on leads, neuter or microchip them, or take them to training.

 

The move follows changes made to the Dangerous Dogs Act enabling prosecution for a dog attack on private property.    

 

 

Below is a breakdown of the most up to date Dangerous Dogs Act introduced in August 2014                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

You are breaking the law if you let a dog be dangerously out of control ANYWHERE, for example

 

   in a public place

   in a private place (eg a neighbour’s house or garden)

   in  your own home

 

This law applies to ALL dogs.

Your dog will be considered dangerously out of control if it:

 

 injures someone or 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 dog or any other animal and or

the owner of the dog or other animal thinks they personally could be injured if they tried to stop your

dog from attacking their dog or other animal