It is 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.
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).
Public Spaces Protection Orders
Some public areas in England and Wales are covered by Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) - previously called Dog Control Orders (DCOs).
In public areas with PSPOs, you may have to:
• Keep your dog on a lead.
• Put your dog on a lead if told to by a Police Officer, Police Community Support Officer or someone from the council.
• Stop your dog 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.
• Carry a poop scoop and disposable bags.
You can report dog fouling to your local council.
Swale Borough Council
Telephone: 01795 417850
Medway Council
Telephone: 01634 333 333
Penalties
If you ignore a PSPO, you can be fined:
• £100 on the spot (a ‘Fixed Penalty Notice’).
• Up to £1,000 if it goes to court.
PSPOs in your area
Local councils must let the public know where PSPOs are in place.
Example:
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.
The notice must tell you:
• Where the new PSPO will apply.
• If there’s a map and where you can see it.
Report a dog
Anyone can report a dog and their owner to Kent Police.
• In an emergency, when life is in immediate danger or a crime is in progress, call 999
• Otherwise call the non-urgent number 101
Swale Borough Council
Telephone: 01795 417850
Medway council
Telephone: 01634 333333
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