Dogs off-lead. Where is it legal and where is it not?

[OrmIrian]

Please help clarify this. I keep reading on here that it's illegal to have a dog off lead in a public place. Is this true of all public places, or just where there are signs telling you so (we have a few parks with signs).

I go running and since we aquired a dog I have been running with him. I prefer if possible to run with him off the lead and so far have stuck to the canal path as there are often dogs off lead there. But am I breaking the law? If I run along a pavement with him off the lead, would it be illegal? I am not intending to do much of that but I'd just like to know.

I have searched online but can't find anything definitive. Anyone know?

[VivaLeBeaver]

I think its legal anywhere there aren't signs saying otherwise as long as the dog is under control. Its an offence to have a dog out of control (I think).

[yesbutnobut]

In certain places there will be signs saying dogs to be on leads. But otherwise the legal requirement is to have your dog 'under control' (I think) which of course is different. I would have thought as long as your dog is under control while you're jogging, you're not doing anything wrong.

[OrmIrian]

Thanks beaver.

The 'out of control' bit seems familiar to me too. I guess I will just have to carry on doing what I'm doing until someone tells me otherwise

[teanosugar]

This is from the Kennel Club website:

The Road Traffic Act 1988

It is an offence to have a dog on a designated road without it being held on a lead. Local authorities may have similar bye-laws covering public areas. Dogs travelling in vehicles should not be a nuisance or in any way distract the driver during a journey.
If a dog is injured in a car accident, the driver must stop and give their details to the person in charge of the dog. If there is no person in charge of the dog, the incident must be reported to the police within 24 hours.

Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953

Your dog must not worry (chase or attack) livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and poultry) on agricultural land, so keep your dog on a lead around livestock. If your dog worries livestock, the farmer has the right to stop your dog (even by shooting your dog in certain circumstances).

Dogs Act 1871

It is a civil offence if a dog is dangerous (to people or animals) and not kept under proper control (generally regarded as not on a lead nor muzzled). This law can apply wherever the incident happened. The dog can be subject to a control or a destruction order and you may have to pay costs.

Correct at time of print March 2012

[AThingInYourLife]

Under control doesn't just mean "not completely out of control", it means that he stays close to you, has excellent recall, and will stop on command.

[OrmIrian]

Yes, I realise that. He is.

[AThingInYourLife]

Great.

A lot of people don't.

[Daisybell1]

Sorry to add to an old post but just to add - on a public footpath a dog is a lawful accompaniment and therefore you have the right to take a dog with you. That dog must be under close control.

However under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 all dogs must be on fixed leads of no more than 2m long between March and July? because of ground nesting birds, and at all times around livestock.

[Davesdb]

Just been out with my 2 dogs (on leads). The female doesn't like other dogs after being attacked. Just had two women refusing to put their's on leads and let them worry mine with the result that she went for one of them. They still refused saying it was my problem and I should control my dog better if it is dangerous. At this point with two leads wrapped around my legs I let Poppy off her lead. She went for them but luckily stayed by my side. As the pair of *' walked off they said they were going to report me. Some people!

[arbrighton]

Why on earth have you dragged up a five year old thread to post that @Davesdb ?

[pigsDOfly]

This is the second zombie post I've seen in as many minutes, both from the same year.