Dog law

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Contains legislation that refers to ALL dogs of any breed or mongrel.
It is an offence to have a dog dangerously out of control in a public place. Dangerously out of control means there is reasonable cause to believe that, whether or not it actually does so, the dog might injure somebody.
Dogs of the breed or type of Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Filo Brazilero have to be registered, neutered, microchipped, tattooed and insured. All dogs of these breeds must be muzzled and led by someone who is sixteen or over at all times when in a public place.
It is an offence to breed, sell, exchange or give away a dog of these breeds.
It is an offence to be in possession of a dog bred for the purpose of fighting or other aggressive acts.
Fines of up to £5000 and/or up to 2 years imprisonment may be imposed under the act and the dog may be destroyed.

Any person that hits a dog with their vehicle causing injury or death must give their name, address and the registration number of the offending vehicle, to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them.
If this is not possible, the incident must be reported to the Police as soon as possible, at the most within 24 hours.

It is an offence to abandon any animal, whether temporarily or permanently, without reasonable cause, in circumstances likely to cause the animal unnecessary suffering.

Gives authorised council officers (animal wardens) the power to seize any dog thought to be a stray and detain it for seven clear days or until the owner collects it.
After seven clear days has elapsed the dog will be sent to Battersea Dogs Home for rehoming.
The owner is legally liable to pay for all expenses incurred because of the dog’s detention.
It is also an offence to keep any animal in such a place or manner as to cause a human health hazard, noise or other nuisance.

It is an offence to cruelly beat, kick, ill treat, torture, infuriate or terrify any animal. It is also an offence by action or omission to cause unnecessary suffering or being the owner permits any unnecessary suffering to the animal.
This Act also allows the courts to ban a person from keeping a dog or other animal either for life or for such a period of time as the court sees fit.

This Act allows local authorities to designate areas of land where dogs must be kept on leads, or where dogs are excluded and also place limits on the number of dogs walked by a single person. This designated land may include roads, parks and other public areas within the local authority’s boundaries.
An offence is committed if a person in charge of a dog fails to clean up its faeces. It is no defence to claim ignorance of the dog's actions, the law, or not to have a device available to remove the faeces.

Dog owners commit an offence if they own a dog which is not wearing a collar and tag bearing the owners name and address while the dog is in a public place.
Even if the dog is microchipped it must still have a collar and tag.
Any dog not wearing such a collar may be seized and treated as a stray.
Dogs exempt from the order include packs of hounds, dogs used for capture of vermin, dogs on official duties of the armed forces, police, customs and excise, emergency rescue work dogs and any registered guide dog.
Owners could be prosecuted and fined upto £5000.

It is an offence to use or permit the use of a guard dog on any premises unless the handler, who is capable of controlling the dog, is present on the premises and the dog is under control.
The dog must be secured so that he is not at liberty to go about the premises.
A warning that a guard dog is present must be clearly exhibited on all enterances and exits

Environmental Health
Environment and Regeneration
Waltham Forest Council
Sycamore House
Forest Road
Walthamstow E17 4JF

email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk
tel 020 8496 3000