AIBU to wonder why so many dogs are found without tags

[TheLivelyCat]

Why do so many dog owners not put tags on their dogs when its a legal requirement? Ive seen so many dogs this week on my local Facebook page, who have got out however they are not wearing tags. I get some people take there fogs collars off in the home, but the amount of strays found without a collar is huge. (For context my dog allways wears her collar and tag unless in her crate due to safety)

YABU it should be up to the owner to decide whether to use a collar and tag.

YANBU all dogs unless legaly exempt should wear a collar and tag, unless the risk of injury in the home is too high, eg crates.

Off topic but decades ago an elderly pony we knew was turned out in an unbreakable nylon head collar. Freshly shod, she scratched behind her ear with a hind foot and caught the heel of the shoe in the headpiece. She went down, couldn’t get up, it was a cold winter day and the family were out for several hours. She was still alive but in distress when they got home, but she died.

I never leave collars on in the home, it's far too dangerous. I always remember two labradors that were playing when one got its jaw stuck in the others collar. One broke its jaw and I think died, the other choked to death.
My dogs are chipped and dog wardens, vets, rescues etc are all able to scan. When out on walks they wear appropriate collars and I.d.tags.

I'm confused, isn't that the point of microchipping?

Hello fellow floofy dog owner! She has a collar and harness in the hope that only one will come off. She knows exactly how to pull against me to shrug them off 😬 To make the collar tight enough she looks absolutely ridiculous and like I am choking her 🤣

Collar comes off as soon as we close the front door behind us. The breeder demonstrated to us how easily a collar can catch and twist to choke an unattended dog and it made an impression on me! The garden gate is locked and if he managed to get out then he's microchipped so can be traced back to us.

Completely irresponsible to leave a collar on a dog unsupervised unless it is a breakaway collar! The risk of strangulation is high. Just because it’s not happened to you doesn’t mean it’s ok or safe.

Collars off at home for my dogs. They have full access to the garden, so I see branches etc as a strangulation risk, as well as strangulation accidentally by each other or themselves. Their chips are up to date so can be identified that way if they escape the home. They have tags on harnesses and collars for if they got lost when out on a walk.

I once found a dog running along a busy A road. I stopped my car and opened the door and encouraged him to jump in. Luckily, my own dog was not with me at the time. He had a collar and tag on and I called the number and drove him to his owner who was out walking with a child in a pram. I had a car restraint in the car and gave him that to walk him home. The man offered me £20 but I suggested he used it to improve his fencing - the dog had apparently jumped out of the garden. Lovely dog. Very friendly and trusting. I hope he didn't escape again.

As for mine, never wears a collar but I have a tag on her harness and usually walk her on long line. Apart from the getting caught aspect I also worry it would damage her coat as she has long wirey hair on her neck. Also have a secure garden and am careful when opening door.

This.

Especially with 2 who play together.

You are rude.

you decide what's best for you & leave it to others to do the same.

Absolutely no collars in the house
Folk just need to be more vigilant to stop their dogs escaping.

I remember this too. My dogs don't ever wear collars in the home, ever.

Awww! Yes, they have the fattest necks and he really does look ridiculous in a collar. He’s an American so super fat.

I'm not rude at all.

It's not a great idea to have so much trust that your dog won't get out when you think about how many actually do.

It is only legal when they are out and about.
I have found wandering dogs before and was able to take them straight home as as they had a tag with their address on.

I guess the ones found out without a collar have either slipped them, or have got our of their house.

It's not about having trust in my dog. It's about having trust in myself to know my garden and home are secure and that he can't get out unless I purposefully let him out, in which case he'd be on a lead and wearing his collar.

No collars in my house either.

They ruin the coat and I don’t want them getting stuck on something.

Well , what I believe to be voice of sanity - but others will differ. A dog's collar should allow two fingers snugly between collar and neck. I'm not saying there aren't terrible rare accidents but I suspect these happen when the dog's collar is too loose. I appear to be somewhat in the minority here though.

I dont understand why people dont have physical tags on collars when they are out. I owned a Golden Retriever who bolted when a hot air balloon went over. Got him back fairly quickly as somebody kindly rang my number to say they had found him. I know they can be scanned but you need either a mobile scanner or go to the vets and it assumes people keep the data on the chip up date.

Its the law that a dog has to be both Microchipped and wear a collar and tag when outdoors.

From the Internet.

All the lost dogs I see on the local FB pages have escaped their gardens, rather than got lost on walks.

I have three dogs and they don't wear collars. I think the dangers of injury through wearing collars whilst playing outweigh the chances of them escaping.

On walks, they have ID tags on their harnesses.

There is no law that requires a dog to wear a collar! They must have a tag when out but it is perfectly ok to have that tag on a harness not a collar.

Ok, I didn't think of just on on harnesses, so I just defaulted to collar.
(probably as im not a fan of them for most dogs, unless a certain body shape or activitie being done, buts thats another topic)

Ok so reading through these I realised somethings I haven't thought of before with collar safety when inside the home, Im allways willing to learn new things, giving something to think about for my dog in the future.
as I also have no front garden or hallway to buffer, bolting out is a higher risk, use her collar to control her. my back is fully secured with an 8f wall all sides.