Owning a dog can bring so much love into your life, but it also brings with it a range of responsibilities.
Not every dog owner is aware of the important laws that impact you once you have purchased a pooch, with a breach resulting in fines, community service or even a custodial sentence.
There are rules on a huge number of things when it comes to dogs and their welfare, including laws on fouling, barking and even travelling in cars. Breaking the laws could result in fines, community service or even prison time, with some breaches meaning people will be banned from owning dogs in the future.
To keep you informed and help you look after your dog and those around you in the best way possible, the Daily Record has listed and explained some of the laws that may impact dog owners around Scotland.
Microchipping
In Scotland you must make sure your dog gets a microchip implanted by the time it's eight weeks old.
Each microchip has a unique number that will show up when scanned in order to identify your dog. You must register the microchip number as well as linking it to your details on a database that meets government standards - you can view the database options here.
Getting your dog microchipped means it will be easier to reunite them with you if lost or even stolen. The chip can also help identify the owners of dogs acting aggressively or dogs who have been abused.
Failing to microchip your dog could see you fined up to £500 as well as a court case being filed against you.
If your dog has already been microchipped by a breeder or previous owner you must make sure the chip matches the technical standard and that your correct details are registered. You can get this checked by visiting your local vet practice.
Fouling
It is an offence under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 for anyone in charge of a dog to not immediately pick up their poo. This applies to any public space or on private land with the owner's consent.
Failing to pick up and dispose of the mess properly could land you with an £80 fine.
Dogs on leads
According to the Highway Code, dogs should not be let out on a road on their own and should be kept on short leads when walking on the pavement, crossing a road, or on a path shared with cyclists or horse riders.
In addition to these rules, local councils can require dogs to be kept on leads along certain routes, installing signs to let owners know. So it is best to keep an eye out!
Councils often impose these rules in places such as children's play parts, beaches and sports pitches.
Collars
The Control of Dogs Order 1992 states that the owner of a dog or the person in charge of a dog in a public place that fails to provide details on the owner in a public place shall be guilty of an offence.
This means that a collar should include the address and name of an owner. Owners can be fined up to £2,000 for not doing this.
Barking
Barking can be classed as a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
District Courts are permitted to deal with anyone who keeps a creature providing annoyance to any person residing in the vicinity under section 49 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
The Court may make an order requiring the owner to take steps to prevent the annoyance, with failure to comply with an offence.
Control
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it an offence for anyone in charge of a dog to let it get "dangerously out of control" in any way in a public or private place.
If found guilty, you could face up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. The court can also ban a person from owning a dog if found guilty of this offence for any period it sees fit.
A dog is regarded "dangerously out of control" if there is evidence for "reasonable apprehension that it will injure any person, whether or not it actually does so", meaning a dog does not actually have to launch an attack in order for an owner to be found guilty.
Cruelty
The welfare of dogs is protected under the Animal Health and Welfare Scotland (Act) 2006.
The act places a duty of care on owners and those responsible for the dog, as well as other animals, ensuring their needs are met.
The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill was introduced by the Scottish Government in 2019 to improve penalties and powers available to enforcement agencies and Scottish courts when it comes to animal welfare.
Dogs can be taken into possession by authorities if there are welfare concerns in order to protect them, with criminal proceedings possible.
Travelling with dogs
The Highway Code states that a dog must be "suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly" when in a vehicle.
This means that your dog should be strapped in using a pet carrier, seat belt harness or dog cage during journeys.
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