Dangerous Dogs
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it an
offence:
- to own a dog that is a serious danger to the
public. The Police decide when to take action in such cases in
Thanet but it usually follows a serious dog biting incident
- for a dog to be “dangerously out of control”
in a public place, i.e. it appears likely to cause serious injury
to a person
The owner of a dog mentioned in points 1 or 2
may be prosecuted and fined up to £5,000. The magistrates may also
order that the dog is destroyed or controlled in some way, e.g.
muzzled and on a lead at all times in public.
The Act also makes it illegal to own, breed
from, sell, give away, or have in public without a lead or muzzle,
an unregistered Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo argentino, Filo braziliera
or Japanese Tosa. This also bears a fine of up to £5,000.
The Dogs Act 1871 can also be used to place a
Control Order on a dog, i.e. requiring that it should be muzzled or
kept on a lead etc.
Under the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003,
Thanet District Council along with Kent Police can also serve an
Acceptable Behaviour Agreement (ABA) on the dog owner asking the
owner to agree to certain restrictions. In extreme circumstances,
officers could even apply to the Court for an Anti Social Behaviour
Order, which could prohibit an individual from walking a dog in
certain areas or even owning a dog.
Avoid having a dangerous dog
- Ensure that your dog is well socialised with
people and other animals from a young age.
- Do not encourage them to bite, even in play,
or to guard your property or yourselves aggressively. Make sure his
bark is worse than his bite.
- Ensure that he is well trained so that you
can keep them under control at all times.
- Use a muzzle and a lead if you have any
doubts about your dog’s temperament.
- A dog may be good with people but not other
dogs. You should still be careful as a large percentage of dog
bites occur when owners are trying to separate dogs that are
fighting
- Report any dogs that you feel may be
dangerous to the Dog Warden.
- Report a dog biting incident to your local police immediately