Dog owners have been warned that walking alongside a road without a lead on their pet could result in a hefty fine.
While many train their dogs to be aware of the road, it does not matter in the eyes of the law as a dog walking by (or on) the road could be a potential hazard.
The rule could result in an eye-watering fine that may be as high as £20,000. And that's not all, owners could face up to six months in prison.
There are some exemptions, but for the most part if you are taking your dog on a stroll you need to keep it on its lead while you are near a road.
Despite it not being common-knowledge, the law has been in place since the late 1980s.
Experts from car leasing site, Select Car Leasing , want to warn dog owners of the dangers to ensure they don’t fall foul.
Select Car Leasing’s Managing Director Graham Conway explains: “If you’ve got your dog well trained, good for you. It’s a brilliant thing to achieve and you should be proud that you’re being a responsible pet owner.
“However, do not fall into the trap of simply being too smug or over-confident.
“You may have seen well-behaved dogs walking at the side of busy roads without a lead, or even crossing busy roads while walking at the side of their owners. To the bystander, it might appear as if the situation is all in control. The onlooker might even be suitably impressed.
“But in the eyes of the law, that’s an offence, landing you with a criminal record and a hefty fine.
“And you can understand the reasoning behind the legislation. If your dog suffers a momentary lapse in concentration or obedience, and ends up darting into the road, there’s a risk it could cause serious injury to other road users - as well as to itself.
“If the very worst happened because of your out-of-control dog, you could face six months in prison and a £20,000 fine.”
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is a criminal offence for a dog to be on a ‘designated road’ without being held on a lead.
Local authorities also have the power to issue a Dog Control Order, which comes with a maximum fine of £1,000 – which can be issued as a fixed penalty notice in place of a prosecution.
The Highway Code, Rule 56, also says: “Do not let a dog out on the road on its own. Keep it on a short lead when walking on the pavement, road or path shared with cyclists, horse riders, and pedestrians. This includes bridleways.”
There are, however, a few exceptions – including for dogs that are used for tending sheep or cattle in the course of a trade or business or for trained pooches engaged in work for the police or armed forces.
However, Select Car Leasing’s Graham Conway points out: “Those exemptions only apply when the dog is on duty. If the dog is just out for an evening stroll with its owner after completing its duties, the same rules about leads apply.”
Did you know about this road law? Let us know in the comments.
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