The law regarding dogs on leads
Discussion
On a local Facebook page there's a discussion going on about dog walkers allowing their dogs to chase cats. Someone then said that it was the law that dogs must be on a lead in residential areas. I asked for a link to such legislation but all I'm getting is local government bylaws and the like. Does such a law exist?
Antony Moxey said:
On a local Facebook page there's a discussion going on about dog walkers allowing their dogs to chase cats. Someone then said that it was the law that dogs must be on a lead in residential areas. I asked for a link to such legislation but all I'm getting is local government bylaws and the like. Does such a law exist?
This may help - https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/lo...Dogs have to be 'under control' but that doesn't necessarily mean on a lead. The only ones that have to be on a lead at all times are the 4 dangerous dog breeds that have been given an exemption from destruction.
There are plenty of local rules / by laws applied though, I frequently see 'all dogs on leads' signs in public areas. From the bluecross.org:
"There is no blanket law requiring dogs to be kept on a lead in all public spaces, however there are a series of orders that mean you have to leash your dog in certain places in your local area, for example children’s play areas, sports pitches, roads, parks, and beaches.
Local authorities have the power to introduce these orders under a number of different laws, and can issue fines or fixed penalty notices for those who don’t comply. Many local authorities have introduced Public Spaces Protection Orders over the last couple of years to restrict dogs to being walked on lead (or excluded from entirely) in certain public spaces. Look out for signage detailing restrictions. We also recommend checking your local council’s website for details of any restricted areas.
Law: Road Traffic Act 1988, section 27; Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014"
There are plenty of local rules / by laws applied though, I frequently see 'all dogs on leads' signs in public areas. From the bluecross.org:
"There is no blanket law requiring dogs to be kept on a lead in all public spaces, however there are a series of orders that mean you have to leash your dog in certain places in your local area, for example children’s play areas, sports pitches, roads, parks, and beaches.
Local authorities have the power to introduce these orders under a number of different laws, and can issue fines or fixed penalty notices for those who don’t comply. Many local authorities have introduced Public Spaces Protection Orders over the last couple of years to restrict dogs to being walked on lead (or excluded from entirely) in certain public spaces. Look out for signage detailing restrictions. We also recommend checking your local council’s website for details of any restricted areas.
Law: Road Traffic Act 1988, section 27; Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014"
HantsRat said:
My dog chases cats - It's natural and in their nature also keeps the pesky things from s
tting in my garden and sitting on my car roof. Win win.
Conversely, there's a lady just down the road who walks her dog past my driveway a couple of times a day and never puts it on a lead. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen it tear up the drive in pursuit of my cat who was quite happily sunning itself and watching the world go by. I agree it's "just nature" but that doesn't mean that this lady shouldn't be keeping her animal under control.tting in my garden and sitting on my car roof. Win win.In Reading, for the whole borough, there is a PSPO part of which is concerned with dogs on leads. I hope I’ve snipped the appropriate bits out ... most of the order is concerned with begging, drinking, motorbikes and so on.
Any person in charge of a dog within the restricted area shall be in breach of the order if they:
2. Do not comply with a direction given to him/her by an authorised officer of the authority to put and keep the dog on a fixed lead unless a) he/she has reasonable excuse for failing to do so; or b) the owner, occupier or other person or authority having control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to his/her failing to do so; c) an authorised officer of the Authority may only give a direction under this order to put and keep a dog on a fixed lead if such a restraint is reasonably necessary to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any person (on any land to which this order applies) or the worrying or disturbance of any animal or bird.
So I interpret that, in the case of enabling your dog to chase after a cat by it not being on a lead, then that is a no no and is ultimately prosecutable.
Any person in charge of a dog within the restricted area shall be in breach of the order if they:
2. Do not comply with a direction given to him/her by an authorised officer of the authority to put and keep the dog on a fixed lead unless a) he/she has reasonable excuse for failing to do so; or b) the owner, occupier or other person or authority having control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to his/her failing to do so; c) an authorised officer of the Authority may only give a direction under this order to put and keep a dog on a fixed lead if such a restraint is reasonably necessary to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any person (on any land to which this order applies) or the worrying or disturbance of any animal or bird.
So I interpret that, in the case of enabling your dog to chase after a cat by it not being on a lead, then that is a no no and is ultimately prosecutable.
Edited by bigandclever on Wednesday 10th March 16:01
bigandclever said:
In Reading, for the whole borough, there is a PSPO part of which is concerned with dogs on leads. I hope I’ve snipped the appropriate bits out ... most of the order is concerned with begging, drinking, motorbikes and so on.
Any person in charge of a dog within the restricted area shall be in breach of the order if they:
2. Do not comply with a direction given to him/her by an authorised officer of the authority to put and keep the dog on a fixed lead unless a) he/she has reasonable excuse for failing to do so; or b) the owner, occupier or other person or authority having control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to his/her failing to do so; c) an authorised officer of the Authority may only give a direction under this order to put and keep a dog on a fixed lead if such a restraint is reasonably necessary to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any person (on any land to which this order applies) or the worrying or disturbance of any animal or bird.
So I interpret that, in the case of enabling your dog to chase after a cat by it not being on a lead, then that is a no no and is ultimately prosecutable.
That is not what it says. There is no obligation to have your dog on your lead or to not chase cats and you can't be prosecuted if it does (under the quoted bylaw at least). The obligation is to put it on a lead if requested to do so by an authorised officer. Failure to do so, when requested, is a breach. There are restrictions on when an authorised officer can request that you put your dog on a lead.Any person in charge of a dog within the restricted area shall be in breach of the order if they:
2. Do not comply with a direction given to him/her by an authorised officer of the authority to put and keep the dog on a fixed lead unless a) he/she has reasonable excuse for failing to do so; or b) the owner, occupier or other person or authority having control of the land has consented (generally or specifically) to his/her failing to do so; c) an authorised officer of the Authority may only give a direction under this order to put and keep a dog on a fixed lead if such a restraint is reasonably necessary to prevent a nuisance or behaviour by the dog likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any person (on any land to which this order applies) or the worrying or disturbance of any animal or bird.
So I interpret that, in the case of enabling your dog to chase after a cat by it not being on a lead, then that is a no no and is ultimately prosecutable.
Edited by bigandclever on Wednesday 10th March 16:01
Nibbles_bits said:
vonhosen said:
s27 Road Traffic Act 1988.
"Designated Road"(2)In this section “designated road” means a length of road specified by an order in that behalf of the local authority in whose area the length of road is situated”
So it’s only illegal to have a dog off a lead if it’s on a road specifically listed by the local authority?
Antony Moxey said:
Nibbles_bits said:
vonhosen said:
s27 Road Traffic Act 1988.
"Designated Road"(2)In this section “designated road” means a length of road specified by an order in that behalf of the local authority in whose area the length of road is situated”
So it’s only illegal to have a dog off a lead if it’s on a road specifically listed by the local authority?
As suggested elsewhere, anywhere else would be a bylaw.
Antony Moxey said:
Nibbles_bits said:
vonhosen said:
s27 Road Traffic Act 1988.
"Designated Road"(2)In this section “designated road” means a length of road specified by an order in that behalf of the local authority in whose area the length of road is situated”
So it’s only illegal to have a dog off a lead if it’s on a road specifically listed by the local authority?
vonhosen said:
Nibbles_bits said:
vonhosen said:
s27 Road Traffic Act 1988.
"Designated Road"Any & all roads that the local authority designate.
Legislation was asked for regarding the title & that was supplied as requested.
Incomplete information fuels FMoTL
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