Dog owners love their dogs, even if their neighbours might have to put up with constant barking, uncontrolled wandering and the risk of attack. So what does the law say?
The Dog Control Act 1996 sets out the general rules for controlling dogs, but it allows councils to set their own by-laws about where dogs can go and when they must be leashed, how complaints are dealt with and what penalties can be imposed if the by-laws are breached.
If you have a complaint, what will happen may therefore vary depending on where you live. In this report, we explain what you can expect in general cases.
Highlights of this report
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