Dangerous Dogs Act (1991)
Section one - Pit Bull Terriers.
If you own a pit bull terrier, or a similar
kind of dog, you must keep the dog muzzled and on a lead in a
public place. You must not let anybody under the age of 16 lead
walk the dog. You must also have an exemption certificate from the
index of Exempted Dogs.
If you do not keep to these laws:
You could be fined up to £5000 and face up to six months in
prison. Magistrates may also order that your dog is
destroyed.
Section three - All Breeds
Section 3 of the above legislation deals with
a dog or dogs of any breed or type that are dangerously out of
control in a public place.
If the owner or, if different, the
person for the time being in charge of a dog allows it to enter a
public place and while it is there—
(a)
it injures any person;
or
(b)
there are grounds for
reasonable apprehension that it will do so,
he is guilty of an offence, or, if the dog
injures any person, an aggravated offence. The penalties for the
above offences are quite severe.
In (a) above on summary conviction the maximum
penalty is 2 years imprisonment and or an unlimited fine, or
both.
In (b) above on summary conviction the maximum
penalty is 6 months imprisonment and or a £5,000 fine, or both.
For this legislation to be enforced any
incident must occur in a public place.
The above legislation is very specific and
only deals with dogs attacking or intending to attack people, no
provisions are made in this legislation for dogs attacking other
dogs, and or other pet animals.
Where a dog attacks another dog, or any other
pet animal (such as a cat) this is a civil matter between the two
owners. However the owner of the attacking dog is responsible for
any damage caused by his/her dog to any other such dog or animal.
The owner of the injured dog or animal may claim any vet fees and
or other expenses that result from such an attack, however it is up
to them to pursue the attacking dog’s owner for this, in the civil
court if necessary.
Further Information
Dangerous Dogs Information
leaflet .
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