Take the Lead

Dog owners are being asked to Take the Lead when it comes to keeping their pets under control.

It is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, including in your own home. Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it injures someone, makes someone worried it might injure them, attacks an animal or if the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured trying to stop such an attack.

Dog warden Laura Yeates explains how important it is to keep your dog under control in the short video below.

The vast majority of dog owners are very responsible when it comes to keeping their pets under control. But unfortunately there are those who aren’t as responsible, and who put other animals and owners at risk by failing to use a lead when necessary or failing to keep their pet securely in their property.

It is especially important to use a lead if:

• You know your dog does not listen to commands.
  
• You’re around wildlife or children.
  
• Your dog is likely to be a nuisance to other owners.
  

Owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control could get an unlimited fine and be sent to prison for up to six months.

It happened to us

We’re asking dog owners to ‘Take the Lead’ by keeping their dogs on leads when necessary and ensuring their properties are secure. The consequences of irresponsible ownership can be deadly, something Chris and Lyn Roe (pictured) know first-hand. Their beloved dog Bobby was attacked last October by a Staffordshire Terrier who escaped from a neighbouring property when workmen had left the door open. Bobby, a 14-year-old West Highland White Terrier, suffered injuries so severe he had to be put down. His attacker, who was not wearing a collar, was also subsequently put down. Chris said: “Bobby was on a lead and we were feet away from our front door. But because of human negligence two healthy dogs lost their lives that day.”