Owning a reactive dog in the United Kingdom (UK) is daunting enough when it comes to training and management. One of the few things that could make it worse is the complexity of laws surrounding reactive dogs, especially when you believe your pooch may be a bite risk.
Navigating UK dog laws, particularly for our reactive dogs, involves understanding several regulations aimed at ensuring public safety and animal welfare. Reactive dogs, especially those prone to aggressive or fearful behaviour, require extra special attention to comply with legal standards.
Here's a guide we've put together to help you understand some of the key aspects of the law in the UK.
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, owners have an obligation to keep their dogs under control. If a dog is dangerously out of control in any place in England or Wales (whether or not a public place), the owner, or the person in charge of the dog at the time, is guilty of an offence. Your dog is 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 your dog:
- attacks someone’s animal; or
- the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog from attacking their animal.
If someone is injured, the offence can be considered an aggravated offence pursuant to section (3)(1) of the Act.
What are the Penalties under the Dangerous Dogs Act?
If your dog is dangerously out of control, you may receive an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to 6 months (or potentially both). The court may also decide that you may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed. If you allow your dog to injure someone, you could be sent to prison for up to 5 years or fined (or both). If you allow your dog to injure a service animal, such as a guide dog, you can be sent to prison for up to 3 years or receive a major fine, or both.
Public Spaces Protection Orders May Apply to Your Dog
Some public spaces in England and Wales are covered by Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), previously called Dog Control Orders.
In areas that have a PSPO, you may have to:
- keep your dog on a lead;
- put your dog on a lead if told to by an official (policeman, community support officer, or the local council);
- stop your dog from going to certain places - like farmland or parts of a park;
- limit the number of dogs you have with you (this applies to professional dog walkers too);
- clear up after your dog (you should already be doing this); and/or
- carry a poop scoop and disposable bags (again, you should already be carrying bags!).
Penalties for Ignoring a PSPO
If you ignore a PSPO, you can be fined:
- £100 on the spot (a ‘Fixed Penalty Notice’); or
- up to £1,000 if the issue goes to court.
Civil Liability for Reactive Dogs
Owner Responsibility
We've all heard stories of paying for pet bills when a dog fight or bite occurs and this legislation is why. The Animals Act 1971 states that an owner (or dog keeper at the time) is liable to compensate an injured claimant where damage is caused by an animal that does not belong to a dangerous species. Chapter 22 of the Animals Act gives rise to strict liability on the part of the animal keeper and you could be liable for payments such as:
- vet fees if your dog injures another dog; and/or
- civil claims for compensation under the Animals Act.
Practical Tips for Reactive Dog Owners
Training and Socialisation
If you have a reactive dog that may pose a bite risk, you should heavily consider professional training options, and consult with a veterinarian behaviourist for their professional advice on medications, handling, and additional resources. Improving your dog's training and socialisation can help minimise reactive behaviours, or at the very least, equip you with the tools to avoid or understand your dog's triggers.
Muzzling a Reactive Dog
For dogs with a history of reactivity that results in snapping or biting in particular, or where you believe their behaviour could lead to these actions if their response is heightened enough, using a muzzle in public places can prevent incidents and is often seen favourably by courts if issues do arise. Check out our posts on Effective Tools for Managing Your Reactive Dog on Walks and the benefits of "Give Me Space" Vests. Although muzzles are still perceived as being taboo, the benefits of using a muzzle on your reactive dog out in public largely outweigh the negatives regarding overall safety for your pooch.
Public Liability Insurance
You may also consider getting third-party liability insurance to cover potential damages or injuries caused by your dog. From a quick search, insurance options start at around £4 a month. If you own a dog that needs to be registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act (a banned breed), it's likely that you will almost always be uninsurable. For example, Petplan’s policy is that they do not cover dogs that need to be registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act, or pets used for security, guarding, track racing or coursing. However, you may conduct further research for other potential options.
Conclusion
It's important that we all understand the inherent risks of owning a reactive dog and adhering to these laws is crucial for responsible dog ownership and ensuring the safety of both your dog and the public. If you require further detailed legal advice and assistance, we implore that you consult with a professional. This guide should be used to summarise key points from the current legislation and sources like the UK Government, and by the time you're reading this article, the information may be outdated.
By staying informed and proactive, you can successfully navigate the complexities of pooch-related laws in the UK and provide a safe environment for your reactive dog and the community.
