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Watford
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Given todays
climate it is all too easy to find yourself the subject of legal
proceedings because of some percieved bad behaviour from your canine
companion. Having recently attended a seminar on Dog Law where
the guest speaker was Trevor Cooper we came away
both enlightened yet worried from the topics that were covered during
his talk. The continual emphasis on the need to have a good
third party liability pet insurance was fully understood by the end of
the seminar. People now can take legal proceedings using
law firms acting on a no win no fee basis which means your costs in
defending your dog can make your road to financial ruin a very short
one.
| Dogs
Act 1871 |
| NDWA
Control of Dogs report |
| The Pet Owners Parliament |
| Consultation on Code of Practice for the Welfare
of Dogs November 2008 |
| Bid to Change Dangerous Dog Act Launched December 2008 |
The law does not apply to |
| Guide dogs Land used for agriculture or woodlands Land which is mainly marshland, moor or heath Rural common land Land comprised of or running alongside a road with a speed limit over 40 miles per hour |
| Leave
gates and property as you find them http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk |
| Please
respect the working life of the countryside, as our actions can affect
people's livelihoods, our heritage, and the safety and welfare of
animals and ourselves. A farmer will normally leave a gate closed to keep livestock in, but may sometimes leave it open so they can reach food and water. Leave gates as you find them or follow instructions on signs. If walking in a group, make sure the last person knows how to leave the gates. If you think a sign is illegal or misleading such as a 'Private - No Entry' sign on a public footpath, contact the local authority. In fields where crops are growing, follow the paths wherever possible. Use gates, stiles or gaps in field boundaries when provided - climbing over walls, hedges and fences can damage them and increase the risk of farm animals escaping. Our heritage belongs to all of us - be careful not to disturb ruins and historic sites. Leave machinery and livestock alone - don't interfere with animals even if you think they're in distress. Try to alert the farmer instead. |
| Keep
dogs under close control http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk |
| The
countryside is a great place to exercise dogs, but it’s every owner’s
duty to make sure their dog is not a danger or nuisance to farm
animals, wildlife or other people. By law, you must control your dog so that it does not disturb or scare farm animals or wildlife. On most areas of open country and common land, known as 'access land' you must keep your dog on a short lead on most areas of open country and common land between 1 March and 31 July, and all year round near farm animals. You do not have to put your dog on a lead on public paths, as long as it is under close control. But as a general rule, keep your dog on a lead if you cannot rely on its obedience. By law, farmers are entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals. If a farm animal chases you and your dog, it is safer to let your dog off the lead – don’t risk getting hurt by trying to protect it. Take particular care that your dog doesn’t scare sheep and lambs or wander where it might disturb birds that nest on the ground and other wildlife – eggs and young will soon die without protection from their parents. Everyone knows how unpleasant dog mess is and it can cause infections – so always clean up after your dog and get rid of the mess responsibly. Also make sure your dog is wormed regularly to protect it, other animals and people. At certain times, dogs may not be allowed on some areas of access land or may need to be kept on a lead. Please follow any signs. You can also find out more by phoning the Open Access Contact Centre on 0845 100 3298. You and Your Dog in The Countryside Booklet to download |
| Keep Dogs Under Control Or I'll Shoot | The Countryside Code |