CONTROLLING YOUR DOG

CONTROLLING YOUR DOG

Overview
It's against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as:
In a public place

In a private place, for example a neighbour's house or garden
In the owner's home

The law applies to all dogs.

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 either of the following apply

• It attacks someone's animal
• The owner of an 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 get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to 6 months (or both) if your dog is dangerously out of control.
You may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed.

• If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to 5 years or fined (or both).
• If you deliberately use your dog to injure someone you could be charged with 'malicious wounding'.
• If you allow your dog to kill someone you can be sent to prison for up to 14 years or get an unlimited fine (or both).
• If you allow your dog to injure an assistance dog (for example a guide dog) you can be sent to prison for up to 3 years or fined (or both).