🐾 DID YOU KNOW? - DOG OWNERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES 🐾🐕

🐾 DID YOU KNOW? - DOG OWNERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES 🐾🐕

Did you know that under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, a dog does not have to bite someone for an offence to occur?

If a dog's behaviour causes a person to reasonably fear that they may be injured, the dog may be considered dangerously out of control, and the owner or person in charge of the dog could face prosecution.

As a dog owner, you are responsible for your dog's behaviour at all times. This includes ensuring your dog:

• Is kept under proper control in public places
• Does not escape from your property

• Does not enter onto private property without permission
• Does not run towards or intimidate people, other dogs, livestock, horses or wildlife
• Does not cause alarm or distress to others

In addition, dog owners should be aware of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in force across Stafford Borough. These include areas where dogs are required to be kept on a lead and areas where dogs may be excluded altogether. Failing to comply with a PSPO may result in enforcement action and the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Failure to control a dog can result in:

• Criminal investigation and prosecution
• Seizure of the dog by police
• Unlimited fines
• Dog destruction orders
• Disqualification from owning dogs
• Imprisonment in the most serious cases

Owners should ensure that gates, fences and property boundaries are secure and that dogs remain under control whenever outside the home. Before letting your dog off the lead, ensure you are permitted to do so and that your dog will remain under effective control.

Responsible dog ownership is a legal responsibility and helps keep people, animals and communities safe.