Dangerous dogs
It is an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 for a dog to be dangerously out of control and to put a person in fear of being attacked.
The main points of the Act are:
- a magistrate can issue a control order which could result in the dog being destroyed. The owner can also be fined or receive a prison sentence of up to six months or both
- if your dog bites a person the sentence is increased to a fine or a prison sentence up to two years or both
- if your dog attacks and injures another animal you could be sued in a county court for the damages caused
Reporting a dangerous dog
Report a dangerous dog attack on a person to the police.
Report dangerous dog attacks on another dog (or other domestic or farm animals) or even aggressive behaviour in a public place to our dog warden on the details below.