Various UK regulations and guidelines will affect you as a pet owner and may vary in local areas according to different council regulations. However, the key areas to be aware of are:

 

• Welfare: Since April 2007, the new Animal Welfare Act requires pet owners to understand that they have a legal duty of care to ensure the wellbeing of their pet. This means making sure pets enjoy a proper diet (including water), somewhere suitable to 'live' (where they are able to express their normal behaviour) and that they are protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

 

• Identification: According to the Control of Dogs Order (1992) every dog, while in a public place should be wearing a collar with the name and address of his owner inscribed on it, or a disc attached.
  If your dog does stray, we suggest you contact your local dog warden and the local police station, who will be able to help you. Your local council should be able to give you contact numbers for your local dog warden(s) and it is worth keeping these to hand.
  Micro-chipping is highly recommended. Microchips give every dog its own identification number on a national database so that the owners can be traced very quickly and the pet returned safe and sound.

 

• Picking up after your dog: Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, pet owners may be fined if they allowing their dogs to foul in a public place such as roads, parks, and any land to which the public are permitted to have access. Picking up after your dog is an essential aspect of responsible pet ownership and shows consideration for others.

 

• Dangerous Dogs: Owners of specific breeds such as pit bull terriers are required to register their dogs and have them neutered, micro-chipped and tattooed.

 

For more detailed and the latest information, visit the Dogs Trust website or the DEFRA website.