If you own a dog in the UK, you could end with a hefty fine if you fail to follow the many rules and regulations. Some of these are obvious, but others may surprise you. Read on to find out how to avoid dog walking fines and more
Control of your dog on public walks
As a dog owner, you must have complete control of your dog. This may seem obvious, but it also extends to having control of your dog in your own home. You have control of your dog in public if it is on a suitable leash, and you are strong enough to control your dog should it try and jump at someone. Example, a child walking a full grown German Shepard would be deemed not to have control.
Owners of a dog out of control can face a fine of £5k. If your dog attacks another animal, expect to be fined £1k. In serious cases, you may be required to put the dog down. If you are fined for having a dog out of control, you maybe be required to have your dog undergo specialised one to one dog training within a period of 6 months.
Dogs not to breed or won
Some dogs are deemed illegal to own or breed in the UK, and these currently include.
- Pit bull terrier
- Japanese tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Braziliero
It is also illegal to sell puppies under the age of 8 month. Plus, it is illegal to sell pups from a market stall or a pet shop or open fair. If you are a dog breeder, do check the conditions of your dog breeding insurance policy for exclusions or conditions on breeding dogs in the UK.
Dog Day Care and Dog Sitting
Dog day care centres have grown in popularity in the UK and if you are a dog lover it could be a good start-up business. However, If you provide a dog day care service, you must be aware of all the associate rules and regulations.
Eamonn Turley, Founder of dog walker insurance UK comments: “If you are a pet or dog sitter that looks after a dog by going to the dog owner’s home, you are not required to apply for a licence”
Dog Walking and Professional Dog walker
All dogs need regular exercise and dog walking is the best way to achieve this, keeping both you and your dog heathy. Another option is to check for a dog walking field nearby to where you live. These are sprouting up everywhere in the UK as farmers catch on to the demand that exists from dog owners. If you do not have the time to walk your dog, it has never been easier to use the services of a local dog walker. Dog walking prices will vary based on where you live in the UK.
The rules and regulations will vary from council to council, so check with your council for the rules that apply where you live or where you walk your dog. Some may require you to have a dog walking licence, but this is not the norm.
If you are a professional dog walker, you may need a dog walking licence. If you are a dog walker or thinking of starting a dog walking business, first check with your local council for any relevant by-laws that may exist. Some councils for example will restrict the number of dogs that can be walked at one time by one person. Insurance for dog walking with public liability is not a legal requirement, but given the risks of handling other people’s dogs, it should be considered as a part of your business plan.
Multiquotetime provides a comparison service for a range of dog services, including one to dog training and puppy socialisation classes and doggy day care.