Legal requirements for owning a dog

As a dog owner there are laws we have to follow – do you know what they are?

Poop

As a dog owner you are required to clean up after you dog.

The Dog Fouling Act of 2016 places responsibility on the ‘person in charge of the dog at the time of the fouling’ and all Scamps and Champs dog walkers take this very seriously.

Under the Clean Neighborhoods and Environment Act 2005, local authorities have the power to make Dog Control Orders in relation to public land.

Which means that, not cleaning up after your dog is an offence, punishable by a fine at level 3, which is £1000.

The Dog Control Order may also relate to; keeping dogs on leads, exclusion of dogs from land and also the number of dogs which a person may take on to any land.

Control

We are talking about leads, collars and muzzles.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is a criminal offence for a dog to be on a designated road (i.e. public road) without being help on a lead. The exceptions are for dogs proved to be kept for driving or tending sheep or cattle.

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires every dog while on a public highway or in a public place to wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on it or on a ID badge attached to the collar.

Exceptions to that legislation are:

  • packs of hounds;
  • dogs used for sporting purposes;
  • dogs being used for the capture or destruction of vermin;
  • dogs being used for the driving or tending of cattle or sheep;
  • dogs being used on official duties by a member of the Armed Forces or Customs and Excise or a police force;
  • dogs being used in emergency rescue work, and;
  • dogs registered with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

The Countryside Code for dog owners

The Protection of Livestock Act 1953 states that it is legal for a farmer to shoot a dog that is worrying his livestock.

The livestock act covers cows, sheep, pigs, horses, chickens, geese and goats. The Act does not cover domestic pets such as cats or wild game birds. The Act applies to any person who is walking or in control of a dog whether they are the owner or not.

The public right of way applies only to the footpath through the field, not to the whole field and so does not give people the right to wander the wider area.

Third party liability insurance is not a legal requirement but should advisable in case your dog causes damage or runs out in the road and cause a road traffic accident.

Third party liability is usually covered in all basic pet insurance policies.

Microchipping

Since April 2016 dog owners in UK are legally required to microchip their dog by 8 weeks old. The exception is that dogs bred for working purposes, eg gun dogs, which must be chipped by the time they are 12 weeks old.

It is important to keep your contact details and address up to date on the microchip database so that if you dog goes missing or stolen he can be traced back to you.

If you move home or change your number, be sure to update your details.

Restraining your dog to travel in the car

Rule 57 of the Highway Code states:

    ‘When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly: A seat belt, harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars’.

A dog guard separating the dog in the boot of the car to passengers in the front and back seat is an fairly simple solution to restraining your dog while traveling.

Using a dog harness which attaches to the cars existing seatbelt fittings or a dog crate are other possible solutions.

Tips to toilet train your new puppy

Getting a new puppy can be such an exciting time.  

Your puppy will normally be around 8 to 12 weeks old when they leave their Mum and litter mates. Puppies should never leave their Mums under the age of 8 weeks. Your puppy will be very curious and excited.

Introduce the pup to his new home gradually so allocate them a small space to start with, like your kitchen for example to help them feel more comfortable.  

A puppy crate can be a safe space for your pup and help tremendously with toilet training.

Put in their favourite toys and blankets.   

Always remove their collar when in the crate for safety reasons. 

Keep the door to the crate open when you are in the house and he can go in and out when he pleases.

Creating a daily routine for your pup straight away will be really beneficial as dogs like routine.  Feeding them and nap/bedtime at the same time each day will make toilet training so much easier for both of you.

Be patient and consistent and never scold your puppy.  

Keep some treats near the back door and always praise and reward when your puppy gets it right.   

Clean up any accidents but don’t acknowledge them.

In the beginning take the puppy outside every hour or so and encourage sniffing and running around.  Take the pup in the garden immediately after waking, after every meal time and before bed.  

Make puppy’s last meal at least three hours before bedtime.

If you see you pup start to sniff and crouch then immediately take them outside.

Give lots of praise and rewards and toilet training will become easy.

Good luck!

If you have a pup and would like it letting out and stimulating while you are out at work, our team can help. We offer puppy visits to help break up their day while you are out at work. This can help with toilet training, socialization and also use up some of their energy so they may sleep better through the night. Get in touch with your local branch HERE to discuss your puppies need further.

Caring for Pets in Cold Weather

With snow on the way, some tips for looking after our fur babies this winter

Dogs cold weather advice

  • Put a dog coat or jumper on them when you go out for a walk, especially if you have a fine coated dog, such as a Greyhound or a Staffie
  • Check their paws and defrost snow – and dry them thoroughly after they’ve been outside as long haired dogs are prone to snow compacting between their toes
  • Clean their paws at the end of your walk as salt and grit from roads and pavements can get between your dog’s paws
  • Dry off wet and muddy dogs after walks
  • Provide them with lots of toys for them to play with indoors and do not force your dog out in the cold weather
  • Make sure your dog has good recall if you’re letting them off the lead when out dog walking so they do not get lost when visibility is reduced in foggy or snowy weather conditions
  • Attach a small light to your dog’s collar so other pedestrians can see them when out on walks in weather which reduces visibility
  • Keep contact details on your pet’s collar and microchip up to date in case they should stray.

Cats cold weather advice

  • Avoid using antifreeze and products containing products. Cats are attracted to the taste of the chemical which is severely dangerous causing many cats to die every year. If this does occur, seek veterinary advice immediately
  • Provide a litter tray for your cat so they do not have to go outside if they choose not to
  • Provide lots of interesting toys for your cat to play with if they are spending more time indoors
  • Dry off your cat if they get wet outside
  • Check their paws and dry them thoroughly after they’ve been outside as long haired cats are prone to snow compacting between their toes
  • Leave somewhere warm and snuggly for them to curl up in if your cat is home alone during the day, especially for older cats
  • Keep your cat indoors in the colder evenings so they are safe from the traffic in conditions with reduced visibility
  • Keep contact details on your cat’s collar and microchip up to date in case they should stray
  • Tap the hood of your car before starting the engine to disturb any sleeping stowaways – cats have a habit of crawling under car bonnets to soak up the warmth from the engine

         Outdoor pets cold weather advice

  • Check your pets water in cold weather the water can freeze leaving your pet with no water to drink
  • Top up bedding extra bedding will help keep your outdoor pet warm
  • Popping a cover over the front of cages through the night, will help to keep some heat in the cage as the temperature drops.
  • Outdoors pets may need more calories in the cold weather to generate energy and keep warm.
  • Consider moving inside in extremely cold weather you may want to move your pets indoors. Perhaps in shed or garage. Or for field kept pets like horses or donkeys, providing a shelter or stable.

Post Christmas Weight Gain – For Pets Too

Gaining a few extra pounds at Christmas is almost a compulsory part of the festivities for us humans, but how many of us include our pets into this tradition…perhaps without even realizing it.

An extra slice of Christmas turkey for me and a slice for Scamp too…

A couple of extra pigs in blankets for me and one for Champ too….

Sound familiar?!

As we love our pets so much its only natural that we want to include them in the Christmas festivities, but how much notice do we pay to the extra pounds they might be gaining?

Overweight pets is a growing concern in the UK, with 1 in 4 dogs and 1 in 3 cats now being overweight.

Like us humans, pets become overweight when they consume more calories than their body can use and sadly the food and treats we provide often exceed the amount of calories they can burn off through activity, causing them to gain weight.

Even pets that get lots of exercise can soon become overweight if they are getting too many calories.

Our domestic pets cannot regulate their food intake and exercise like wild animals because they have to rely on us as their owners to provide food and exercise for them.

Unfortunately because we see so many overweight pets out and about or on social media, it is normalising obesity and owners are getting the wrong impression of what a healthy dog, cat or rabbit of the ideal bodyweight, should look like.

How do the below animals look to you? Overweight or normal?

All of the above images are of animals that have some weight to lose. Does that surprise you?

Click the links to check out Royal Canin weight chart for cats, dogs and rabbits. How is your pets weight post xmas?

Being overweight can also make it more likely that your pet could suffer from serious health problems and conditions such as:

  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Breathing difficulties
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Arthritis, Joint Problems and Injuries
  • Skin Problems
  • Anal Gland Problems
  • Cystitis
  • Incontinence (mainly seen in bitches)
  • Ulcers / pressure sores
  • Fly Strike (Maggot infestation) – This occurs when animals cannot reach their bottoms and clean themselves
  • Irritability
  • Matted Fur
  • Overweight and obese pets usually have shorter lives than fitter pets.
  • Overweight pets also tend to interact less with their families and are less energetic and playful

So if your pet has been part of the festivities, now is a good time to start working off the extra pounds and keep them fit and healthy for longer.

If your pet has some pounds to lose and you would like some help uping the exercise regime, Scamps and Champs can help. Whether its an extra dog walk during the day or spending time with your cat and rabbit using enrichment games and exercise tactics to get them moving a bit more through the day. Get in touch with your local branch HERE and we will be happy to get your pets fit this year.

Should Children Be Given Training To Avoid Dog Bites?

Over 7,000 children under the age of 18 were hospitalised last year for dog bites, according to the NHS. Now a parliamentary committee has recommended new training to keep families safe around pets.

The Commons Environment Committee found that children under 9 were more likely to be hurt than any other age group, sometimes with life-changing injuries. They also suggest that training should be part of the national curriculum to stop the increase in admissions. 4,110 children were hospitalised in 2005, an 80% increase over the last 12 years.

Other recommendations included awareness courses for owners, similar to speeding remedial courses. They also want an independent review into dog attacks for a new piece of legislation to replace the 1991 Dangerous Dog Act.

Chair of the committee, Neil Parish MP, said the current legislation was a “death sentence” for many family pets and good-natured dogs who are put down purely because of their breed. He also said that “evidence from across the world shows that the government should focus instead on encouraging responsible ownership, improving education and ensuring offenders face robust penalties.”

The Dog Trust has already given advice on how parents should teach their children about dog safety:

  • Don’t go near a dog you don’t know
  • Only pat or play with a dog if they have asked the owner
  • Never leave young children unsupervised with any dog
  • Don’t let them tease their dog or play too roughly with it
  • Don’t go near or disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, ill or injured

But the government says there are no plans to make dog safety part of the national curriculum. The committee also found that schools were unprepared to teach this topic, resulting in patchy results across the UK. Charities say teaching material is readily available, but aren’t being taught consistently.

Some members of the committee argued that responsibility should lie on owners, not children. Tackling reckless and dangerous owners should be the focus point of education rather than in schools. Charities and even police forces should take on owners whose dogs are deemed high risk or who have been involved in previous attacks.

So what do you think? Should children be given training across the board to combat any risk? Or do you think children are ok as is?