Dog Control

• Dog collars

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires you to make sure your dog is wearing a collar and tag with contact details of the owner when out in a public place. This information will assist in the dog being re-united with its owner. The owner or person in charge of the dog may be prosecuted if the dog is not wearing a collar and the maximum penality is 6 months imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

• Microchipping 

A microchip is a small electronic chip, around the size of a grain of rice, which is implanted under the dog's skin and contains a unique number that can be read by a scanner. The dog owner's contact details relating to each number are logged on a central database, so should the dog ever go missing or be stolen it can be scanned and returned to his owner swiftly and safely.

All dogs over 8 weeks old are required by law to be microchipped. The chip needs to be linked to the owner's current contact information to be compliant. Failure to microchip your dog or keep the contact details up to date can result in a maximum fine of £500. 

• Animal welfare

Dog owners must make sure that the welfare needs of their dogs are met. These include the need for a suitable home and environment, for a healthy deit and to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease. Anyone who is cruel to an animal, or does not provide for its welfare needs, may be banned from owning animals, fined up to £20,000 and/or sent to prison.