Dog keeping rules in various coutries

[Vaiva]

I want to ask all the dog lovers in various countries for some help. Here, in Lithuania, we have some stupid rules about keeping dogs in towns and I am in a group of people who want to change it. Could You all please send the rules of keeping dogs in Your country? The original language is OK, we will find the ways to translate it.

Please, send it to [email protected]

Or you can publish here, maybe someone will find it usefull.

Thanks a lot!

[Juniorwolf]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

I want to ask all the dog lovers in various countries for some help. Here, in Lithuania, we have some stupid rules about keeping dogs in towns and I am in a group of people who want to change it. Could You all please send the rules of keeping dogs in Your country? The original language is OK, we will find the ways to translate it.

Please, send it to [email protected]

Or you can publish here, maybe someone will find it usefull.

Thanks a lot!

Here in Denmark we have only very few rules about keeping dogs in the town/city :

The dogs must not bother the neighbours by barking or howling all day long.
The dogs must at all times have a leash on except in special places where there are signs saying so or if the owner have full control over the dog.
The owner must always pick up the shit from the dog.
All dogs must have an insurance(for damage on other dogs, people or other peoples property).
All dogs must have adress and phone number of the owner attached to the collar of the dog.

At the moment the politicians have big discussion/debate about all muscle/"figthing"-dogs(Staffordshire terrier, bulldog, etc.) should be banned or if there should be an age limit(25 years) for owning such a dog and if owners of such dogs should have a special licence to own it and if such dogs should wear a muzzle at all times when they are in public places. This is ONLY about muscle/"figthing"-dogs.

Some apartmentcomplexes have rules saying that only small dogs is allowed others have rules saying no muscle/"figthing"-dogs is allowed.

....What are the rules in your country ?

Greetings Rolf

[GalomyOak]

In the US, each town or city makes it's own laws about dogs. In some cases, states also make laws about dogs - federal law only requires that dogs being imported be vaccinated for rabies, or be maintained at the owner's home until the dog is old enough to be vaccinated (this is rarely enforced though, unless the puppy bites someone or causes some other problem).

Each town is different - some ban "muscle dogs", and also rottweilers, dobermans, etc. Some states or towns ban the ownership of wolf hybrids - so far there have been no problems with CSVs that have not been solved by the FSS/AKC registration papers (to my knowledge). Some places have laws requiring leashes - others do not. Many times in rural areas (such as the area I live in) the laws do not require hunting dogs, or dogs being trained, to have a leash. All towns/cities require dogs to display a metal license (which can be obtained for a $5-10 fee, less for altered dogs - and also a rabies certificate). All towns/cities require the owner to clean up after the dog.

If a dog bites someone, it may be deemed a dangerous or vicious dog, and have to follow very strict rules (if it is not euthanized). Those laws require the owner to carry insurance on the dog, to wear a muzzle and leash when out in public, and to be housed in a building with a fence that can not be jumped over, opened, or dug out - it must also be locked. The license for these dogs is more expensive, and there is a public record (anyone can view it), saying who owns the dog, a description of the dog, and the address.

Dogs usually may not ride on public transport (except for airplanes). They may not enter facilities with food, or in most stores. There are large pet stores, and some independent stores that will allow dogs in - if the dog bites someone, the store may have to pay the victim. These laws do not apply to dogs for the blind - they may enter anywhere at any time.

It's required that all dogs be given shelter from sun, rain, wind, etc...but they may live outside. In some places, it is illegal to leave a dog on a chain, but again, this is usually not enforced. The dog must have food, water, and proper medical care. It may not bother the neighbors with barking or howling.

Just as in Rolf's post, apartments may prohibit all dogs, or certain dogs (such as breed or size), and they may charge an extra fee for allowing pets (cats included). If you own a home, your homeowner's insurance may ban certain breeds, or charge extra because of the "risk" of certain breeds.

Very interesting post!

Marcy

[Vaiva]

Originally Posted by rolf

The dogs must not bother the neighbours by barking or howling all day long.
The dogs must at all times have a leash on except in special places where there are signs saying so or if the owner have full control over the dog.
The owner must always pick up the shit from the dog.
All dogs must have an insurance(for damage on other dogs, people or other peoples property).
All dogs must have adress and phone number of the owner attached to the collar of the dog.
Greetings Rolf

Do you need an official agreement of your neighbours if you want to have a dog?
Do dogs in public places have to be walked only with a muzzle on?
(in LT, Vilnius - both YES)
How do these special places for walking dogs look like? Are you allowed to enter parks and beaches with your dog?
We are finally allowed to enter parks, what a happines
Insurance is something new for me, we only pay monthly fee for having dog/cat.
Aa, and is there a number of dogs/cats that you are allowed to have in a flat?

Thanks, Marcy, seems like you have also strict rules...

[tikaani]

Originally Posted by rolf
The dogs must not bother the neighbours by barking or howling all day long.
The dogs must at all times have a leash on except in special places where there are signs saying so or if the owner have full control over the dog.
The owner must always pick up the shit from the dog.
All dogs must have an insurance(for damage on other dogs, people or other peoples property).
All dogs must have adress and phone number of the owner attached to the collar of the dog.
Greetings Rolwe

we have prity much the same rules over in the uk, there is no diferance having a dog in the city of the country side,
i shall have a look and see if i can find some afficial paper work about it for u
e

[tikaani]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

I want to ask all the dog lovers in various countries for some help. Here, in Lithuania, we have some stupid rules about keeping dogs in towns and I am in a group of people who want to change it. Could You all please send the rules of keeping dogs in Your country? The original language is OK, we will find the ways to translate it.

Please, send it to [email protected]

Or you can publish here, maybe someone will find it usefull.

Thanks a lot!

UK dog laws

17-Jul-06


Why do I need to know about dog law?
As a responsible dog owner, you need to know about dog laws – your rights and responsibilities, in order to protect yourself, your dog and other dogs. At the Kennel Club, we are constantly lobbying the government to ensure that the law benefits responsible owners.
The Kennel Club also provides many services which will help you to be a law abiding, responsible owner – from microchipping your dog to training him or her to be a good citizen.
On the following pages, you can read about the laws which affect you and your dog the most.
Animal Welfare Act 2006 (PDF)
The Animal Welfare Act introduced on April 6th 2007 received Royal Assent in 2006. From April 2007, the Act will repeal the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960. The new Act increases and introduces new penalties to tackle acts of cruelty, neglect, mutilation, tail docking, animal fighting and the giving of pets as prizes. In addition to this it will introduce a duty of care for all pet owners to provide for their animals a suitable environment, a suitable diet, the ability to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease and consideration of the animal’s needs to be housed with, or apart from, other animals.
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
Under this Act, you could be fined up to £1,000 for breaching dog control orders. Local authorities can make orders for standard offences including: failing to remove dog faeces, not keeping a dog on a lead, not putting and keeping a dog on a lead when directed to do so, permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded and taking more than a specified number of dogs on to land. To find out whether your local authority has introduced these orders sign up to the Kennel Club’s dog owners group, KC Dog, by contacting Victoria Brown, External Affairs Assistant on 020 7518 1020.
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act also updates the law on stray dogs by transferring the responsibility for strays from the police to the local authorities. However this section of the Act has not yet come into force. It is highly recommended that your dog is microchipped and registered with Petlog, the largest pet reunification scheme in the UK, as this can prove extremely effective in locating a lost pet. The Petlog Premium service can even alert local vets and dog wardens when an owner reports where their pet was lost. This can be done by telephone, SMS text message or via the Petlog website. Contact Petlog on 0870 606 6751 or visit www.petlog.org.uk to find out more. If you lose your dog, you should stay in regular contact with the local council, Petlog, vets, dog shelters and the police, and put up posters in the area where you lost it.
Dog wardens are obliged to seize stray dogs and the police, for now, still have discretionary power to seize stray dogs under the Dogs Act 1906. The finder of a stray dog must return it to its owner (if known), or take it to the local authority or police (although soon, only the local authority will receive stray dogs). It is illegal to take a found dog into your home without reporting it to the police first.
If you want to retain the dog, this might be allowed, provided you are capable of looking after the dog and agree to keep it for at least 28 days. However, the original owner could still have a claim for the dog’s return.
Byelaws on noisy animals
If your dog’s barking causes a serious nuisance to neighbours, the local authority can serve a noise abatement notice, which if unheeded can result in you paying fines and legal expenses.
Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999
Breeders who breed four or more litters per year must be licensed by their local authority. Breeders with fewer litters must also be licensed if they are carrying out a business of breeding dogs for sale.
Licensed breeders must:
a) Not mate a bitch less than 12 months old.
b) Not whelp more than six litters from a bitch.
c) Not whelp two litters within a 12 month period from the same bitch.
d) Keep accurate records.
e) Not sell a puppy until it is at least eight weeks of age, other than to a keeper of a licensed pet shop
or Scottish rearing establishment.
The Control of Dogs Order 1992
This mandates that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag. Your telephone number is optional (but advisable).
The Kennel Club can provide these tags, please visit our Online Shop.
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (section 3)
It is a criminal offence (for the owner and/or the person in charge of the dog) to allow a dog to be ‘dangerously out of control’ in a public place, a place where it is not permitted to be, and some other areas. A ‘dangerously out of control’ dog can be defined as a dog that has injured someone or a dog that a person has grounds for reasonable apprehension that it may do so.
Something as simple as your dog chasing, barking at or jumping up at a person or child could lead to a complaint, so ensure that your dog is under control at all times.
If your dog injures a person, it may be seized by the police and your penalty may include a prison sentence and/or a ban on keeping dogs. There is also an automatic presumption that your dog will be destroyed (unless you can persuade the court that it is not a danger to the public, in which case it may be subject to a control order). You may also have to pay a fine, compensation and
costs.
The following breeds are banned under the Dangerous Dog Act:-
American Pit Bull Terriers, Fila Brasiliero, Dogo Argentino and Japanese Tosa.
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.
Animals Act 1971
You could be liable for damage caused by your dog under this Act or under some degree of negligence. It is highly advisable to have third party liability insurance to cover this, something that is included in most pet and some household insurance policies.
Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
Anyone boarding animals as a business (even at home) needs to be licensed by the local authority.
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.
As a dog owner, you should be aware of laws which affect you and your dog. Enclosed are some useful guidelines to help you keep within the dog law! The Kennel Club is the best place for advice on these issues and provides many services to help you to be a law abiding, responsible dog owner.

hope this helps

[WolfWhistle]

SWEDEN…

Sweden is divided into twenty-one counties and every county further divides into a number of municipalities. (290 municipalities in 2004) Every municipality has its own “law” about how to keep dogs but they are pretty much the same so here is an example.

Dogs should be kept on a leash on market places, cemeteries, parks, playgrounds, on municipal bathing places and on certain jogging tracks.
A female in heat must be on a leash or in an enclosure.

In public places such as burial grounds, cemeteries, playgrounds or municipal bathing places you have to pick up the shit from your dog.

When a dog is off leash it should be wearing a collar that contains information such as; Name of the owner, address and phone number.

We also have a law about how to keep and care for dogs that is the same in the whole country.
But its more about things like; when you are allowed to have a dog in a cage, how big the enclosures must be, they must have food every day, you can only leave a puppy under 4 months alone a very short time, electric fence and electric collars are forbidden, you are not allowed to mate a female before her second heat but she has to be at least 18 months old, you should take out a dog at least every 6:th hour during the daytime, you have to look after the dog at least twice a day etc etc etc……

You can find the whole law here but it’s A LOT of info (and in Swedish)
http://www.sjv.se/download/18.1c72e9...6/2008-005.pdf

//Ninni

[Juniorwolf]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

Do you need an official agreement of your neighbours if you want to have a dog?

Well if you have your dogs inside your house or have only 2-3 dogs living outside, no official agreement is needed, but if you have more dogs living outside(in the city) you must have an official agreement from your neighbours, but this is a little tricky, because if your dogs are quiet(no barking/howling), you will need no official agreement.

Originally Posted by Vaiva;

Do dogs in public places have to be walked only with a muzzle on? (in LT, Vilnius - both YES)

Only dogs who have been ordered by the police to wear a muzzle due to biting other people or dogs, must wear a muzzle in public places(the law will maybe change for muscle-dogs only).

Originally Posted by Vaiva;

How do these special places for walking dogs look like? Are you allowed to enter parks and beaches with your dog?

In most parks, forrests, etc. it is allowed to walk with your dog, but only on the leash, some parks, forrests, etc. have some areas where it is allowed to let the dog free.
In the period from 1.October - 31.March dogs are allowed at the beach and are allowed to run free, in the rest of the year only at some beaches dogs are allowed.

Originally Posted by Vaiva;

is there a number of dogs/cats that you are allowed to have in a flat?

This is only the owners of the apartment complex who decides how many pets is allowed, so this is not law, but rules from the landlord.

It is allowed to bring your dog in almost all public transports(in few busses it is not allowed), but only 1 dog for 1 person, but almost every day I travel by public transport with both of my dogs without any problems.

Normaly you can go where ever you want, with your dog as long as it is on the leash and not bothering other people, with exceptions from shops and places with food(dogs are only allowed in places with food if they have an outside area, but still not all places with outside areas welcome dogs).

Greetings Rolf

[Vaiva]

Thank you, people, you are great

At the moment I am working on the new version of the dog keeping rules in Vilnius and hope the municipality will be friendly to us... It is a pitty, a lot of people, who decide upon these rules, still think the dog has to live in a countryside on a metal chain

[Grin]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

Oh yes, the same is usually hapenning in Lithuania... At the moment ALL the dogs have to be walked with muzzles (I don't do this ), youcan not enter parks or allow your dog to swim in public beaches Even in a dogs playground officially dog hs to wear a muzzle Stupid, isn't it?...

Hey, could you please write the rules of keeping/walking a dog in Poland in a topic "Dog keeping rules... blablabla.."?

I'm not the right person to write about the rules, I'm afraid, because I'm not a specialist in it at all, and my information wouldn't be precise.
But on the other hand, our Polish rules are not precise either, as usuall.

As far as I know each town has its own rules. And of course they mostly choose the most restrictive ones; as for example here in Katowice, where dogs should wear both; the leash and the muzzle at the same time (!) when in public places, which in practise means... always...
And what's more; there is no official playground for dogs in Katowice. So you see...

As for the beaches I heard that there are places, where you can come with a dog, but I'm not sure if all year round.

Oh! And there of course is the controversial law which lets any hunter with a gun to shoot at a dog wich is without its owner and looks... wild.
This law was introduced to prevent forest animals beeing chased by the wild dogs and thus to force controll over their dogs on the owners.
But of course so far there were accidents, when this law was abused and people lost their dog friends during ordinary walks...

That's what I can write.
I doubt it will be of any help to you.
There are people who have much more information than me.

Regards

[Vaiva]

So this seems to be just the same in both neighbour countries - Poland and Lithuania "No education, just forbiding"

[Grin]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

So this seems to be just the same in both neighbour countries - Poland and Lithuania "No education, just forbiding"

You've touched the very point.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by wildenmorgen

In the US, each town or city makes it's own laws about dogs. In some cases, states also make laws about dogs....

Marcy

If you are part of a homeowners association, such as myself, they also sometimes apply limitations/rules such as number of dogs you may have, ours is 2. (We have 3)

It seems to be, for the most part, that so long as you take care of the animal and it is not disruptive and/or harmful to yourself or others you won't have a problem.


(P.S. You could also wear sunglasses and carry a cane wherever you go )

[Vaiva]

Originally Posted by Chance

If you are part of a homeowners association, such as myself, they also sometimes apply limitations/rules such as number of dogs you may have, ours is 2. (We have 3)

It seems to be, for the most part, that so long as you take care of the animal and it is not disruptive and/or harmful to yourself or others you won't have a problem.


(P.S. You could also wear sunglasses and carry a cane wherever you go )

You see, it is similar in Lithuania. I should walk my dog with a muzzle, but I don't. People have to gather their dog's shit - but a lot of people don't. And of course they can own two dogs or two cats or a cat and a dog in a flat (and litters till 4 months), but they have much more of them (also nobody counts boas, iguanas, ferrets, rabits, big parrots etc.) Still, even if nobody is against you keeping 3 () chihuahuas in a 100 square meters flat, you are a transgressor So I do not want to be one

[solowolf]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

I want to ask all the dog lovers in various countries for some help. Here, in Lithuania, we have some stupid rules about keeping dogs in towns and I am in a group of people who want to change it. Could You all please send the rules of keeping dogs in Your country? The original language is OK, we will find the ways to translate it.

Please, send it to [email protected]

Or you can publish here, maybe someone will find it usefull.

Thanks a lot!

i found this photo on this web site, i dont think there can be many rules here, i am very surprised this dog has not been impaled on one of the pieces of metal, lost an eye or suffered a serious injury, it is obvious from the photo that this person URGENTLY NEEDS HELP IN CONSTRUCTING DOG KENNELS.........
http://www.wolfdog.org/drupal/en/gallery/pic/9998/

[draggar]

Originally Posted by GalomyOak

Dogs usually may not ride on public transport (except for airplanes). They may not enter facilities with food, or in most stores. There are large pet stores, and some independent stores that will allow dogs in - if the dog bites someone, the store may have to pay the victim. These laws do not apply to dogs for the blind - they may enter anywhere at any time.

To expand a little more - not just "seeing eye dogs" but all service dogs (dogs that help people live and get around - hearing ear dogs, seizure alert dogs, mobility assistance, etc..) like what Zorro does and what Luna will be trained to do. Despite what their owners think, "therapy" dogs and emotional support dogs are not considered service dogs.

But - even if it is a service dog, if it is causing a disturbance (excessive barking, messing, biting, pooing etc..) then the establishment does have the right to ask the owner to leave with the dog.

The state of Florida actually banned breed specific legislation (Miami-Dade was grandfathered in with their pit bull ban) but it is under the threat of being removed form the law allowing municipalities to ban breeds as they see fit (yes, I'm going to fight this).

[Vaiva]

Well, some good news
In Vilnius (capital of Lithuania) dogs still have to wear muzzles. BUT, the dogs, who pass a special socialization test (walking on leash, recall, testing dog's behaviour in city among people, cars and so on) can be walked without that stupid thing - muzzle So seems like Brukne is the first (?) wolfdog here to pass this test. We got a little yellow card with her and my name on it and finally can LEGALLY walk in Vilnius without a muzzle!!! It is such a relief and such a good feeling
(bigmouth tinhorn )

[Rona]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

Well, some good news
So seems like Brukne is the first (?) wolfdog here to pass this test. We got a little yellow card with her and my name on it and finally can LEGALLY walk in Vilnius without a muzzle!!! It is such a relief and such a good feeling

Congratulations!

In fact Polish strict regulations are not strictly obeyed, i.e. an owner with dog on a leash in the street (without a muzzle!) or in a muzzle, but unleashed on a common meadow, in most cases would not be punished. Unless during short periods when there are 'anti-dog campaigns' after somebody had been bitten by a dog and the case was raised in media.

However, what irittates me personally is the language used in notices in public places rooted in the old communist times, when a citizen was treated lika a naughty child, not a responsible adult person:



Words: "forbidden", "not allowed", "will be punished" etc. are the core of such notices!!!

Just compare a very kind, rational and I suppose, more effective, notice in St. James's Park, London:



Maybe time has come to change not only the stupid regulations, but also the language which reflects the relationship between citizens (including dog owners!) and the authorities?

[Vaiva]

Originally Posted by Rona

However, what irittates me personally is the language used in notices in public places rooted in the old communist times, when a citizen was treated lika a naughty child, not a responsible adult person:

Good point Dog owners need to have their representatives in parlaments and municipalities

[Grin]

Originally Posted by Rona

Just compare a very kind, rational and I suppose, more effective, notice in St. James's Park, London:

What strikes me most is not even the word "please" but the fact of giving the reason of this restriction.
The truth is Polish restrictions concerning dogs are in most cases baseless (that means; there is not any real necessity for them) therefore the only way of their authorization is such language as in given example, because their authors are not able to give the reasons even if they wanted.