Dog Law
All dog owners should be aware of the laws relating to dog ownership. There are many different laws relating to dogs covering everything from owning an illegal breed, keeping dogs under proper control, and fouling.
For specific advice please use the contact form at the end of this page.
Across Blaby District there is currently a Public Spaces Protection Order in place that relates to dog control.
This order requires any person who is out in any public space within Blaby District with a dog to carry bags or some other form of receptacle suitable for removing faeces should their dog foul. Anyone who fails to produce a suitable receptacle if requested by an authorised officer is guilty of an offence. Should the dog defecate the person in charge of the dog is required to remove the faeces forthwith and place it in an appropriate bin.
The order also allows authorised officers from the Council to request that any dog that appears to be causing a nuisance be placed on a lead for the remainder of its walk. This request can be made anywhere within Blaby District and failure to comply with the request is an offence.
There are also some specified areas where dogs are not permitted to be or are required to be kept on a lead whilst within those areas.
Full details can be found within the order of where these areas are within the District.
The penalties for any person found committing an offence under the order can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Fine of £100 or prosecution.
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and Dangerous Dogs Amendment Act 1997
It is an offence to own or keep any of the following types of a dog unless listed on the Index of Exempted Dogs and complies with the requirements.
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- XL Bully
Being an owner of a dog of any type or breed which is dangerously out of control is an offence.
If a dog is dangerously out of control - then the owner or the person in charge of the dog is guilty of an offence, or, if the dog while so out of control injures any person, an aggravated offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Control of Dogs Order 1992
This order states that a dog in a public place must wear a collar bearing the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag. Failure to comply with this order is an offence.
Any person found guilty of an offence can be prosecuted and potentially receive an unlimited fine.
Animals Act 1971
The Animals Act 1971 provides that the keeper of an animal is liable for any damage it causes if he knows it was likely to cause such damage or injury unrestrained.
The Dogs Protection of Livestock Act 1953
Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 the owner and anyone else under whose control the dog is at the time will be guilty of an offence if it worries livestock on agricultural land.