Dog owners - please read so that everyone can enjoy the open spaces in Sedgebrook - Thank you!
Important advice and guidance for dog owners when out and about with their dogs in the village
(Information obtained from Blue Cross and a dog trainer (qualifications with APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) and IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers)).
This advice is mostly common sense but also important to take note so that everyone can enjoy the open spaces in the village (thank you to the many dog owners who are very respectful, but unfortunately not everyone is!)
Please be considerate of other people and dogs especially in the park. It is used by others with children who may be nervous or unsure of dogs.
Dog Poo
Owners can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 or a fine of £1000 if prosecuted for not complying with regulations. All dog owners should have poo bags with them. PLEASE PLEASE pick up your dog’s poo at all times and either deposit the bag in the bin on the green or take it home. If your dog is not on the lead YOU NEED to pay attention to see where they have been! Please also respect villagers’ verges there really is no excuse.
Dogs on leads
There is no blanket law requiring dogs to be kept on a lead in all public spaces. However, there are a series of orders that mean you have to leash your dog in certain places in your local area, for example children’s play areas and parks. Do not let your off-leash dog approach an on-leash dog.
Dogs must not be allowed to be ‘dangerously out of control’, which means injuring someone or making someone fear they may be injured. They should be close to you and under control ie paying attention to your voice commands and ideally on a lead in public places.
This applies to any breed or type of dog. It is a criminal offence to allow your dog to be ‘dangerously out of control’ – this applies in both public and private areas (such as inside someone's home). This could be anything from your dog chasing a person or another animal to physically harming them. It can also be if someone feels at risk of being injured by your dog. Either the owner or the person in charge of the dog can be charged. If this happens, you may have to pay a fine, compensation and costs. If your dog hurts a person, unfortunately they can be seized by police and may even be humanely destroyed.
Road traffic
Claims can be brought against dog owners who are proven liable if their dog causes a road incident that results in injury, illness or death. (Animals Act 1971, section 2)
Drivers who injure dogs with their car, motorbike or other vehicle must give their name and address to the owner, or person in charge of the dog. If there is no person with the dog at the time, the driver should report the incident to the police within 24 hours. (Law: Road Traffic Act 1988, section 170)
Livestock
Dogs should not be allowed to ‘worry’ livestock. This means owners must prevent dogs from attacking livestock, chasing livestock, or being out of control off lead in a field containing livestock. Even if your dog does not bite livestock, chasing or barking at them can cause pregnant animals to lose their young through stress. When walking in the countryside or other areas where you are likely to come across cattle, sheep, horses and other animals, we recommend keeping your dog on a lead. Be particularly wary of farm animals with their young.
All dogs must be microchipped, and the owner’s details must be registered on one of the authorised databases. Puppies must be microchipped before they go to their new homes, with the breeder being the first registered keeper.
Legally, all dogs must wear a collar and ID tag when out in public, which must detail their owner's name and address, including postcode. This applies whether your dog is on their lead or not.