Anyone found to be ignoring these rules may be fined up to £1,000 if the matter goes to court
Dog owners must be aware of an essential type of ‘order’ issued by local authorities that applies to various public places. Anyone found ignoring these rules could be issued an on-the-spot fine of £100 or a penalty of up to £1,000 if the matter goes to court.
The rules of focus are known as ‘Public Spaces Protection Orders’ (PSPOs), or previously Dog Control Orders (DCOs), and apply to certain areas in England and Wales. Where a PSPO is enforced, owners must follow any applicable rules, which may include keeping their dog on a lead.
Beyond this, the UK Government explains that a PSPO may also require owners to follow six rules:
- Put the dog on a lead if told to by a police officer, police community support officer or someone from the council
- Stop a dog from going to certain places – like farmland or parts of a park
- Limit the number of dogs they can walk at one time (this applies to professional dog walkers, too)
- Clear up after their dog
- Carry a poop scoop and disposable bags
- Keep a dog on a lead
“Local councils must let the public know where PSPOs are in place,” advice on GOV.UK continues. “If dogs are not allowed in a park, there must be signs saying so. If the council plans to put a new PSPO in place, it must put up a notice and publish it on its website.”
Should your local council implement a new PSPO, it is also required to explain exactly where these rules apply and whether a map of the restrictions is available. If the latter applies, it must specify where the map can be viewed.
Beyond this, it’s also worth noting that it’s illegal to allow dogs to be ‘dangerously out of control’ in any location, including both public and private settings. This applies to all types of dogs – whether they are banned breeds or not.
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The UK Government’s advice adds: “You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six 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 five 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 three years or fined (or both).”
You can find out more at GOV.UK here.
What dogs are completely banned?
In the UK, owning specific types of dogs is illegal. This law also prohibits the sale, abandonment, giving away, or breeding of these banned dogs.
The breeds included in this are:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
XL Bully dogs are also completely banned in England and Wales. In certain circumstances, an owner may be issued a Certificate of Exemption for owning a banned breed, though this depends on specific criteria.
