Good Dog Ownership

Please remember that before you get a dog, they are a big responsibility and consideration should be given to the following:

• can you afford to keep a dog?
• the cost of veterinary treatment is not cheap and may be necessary at some point in a dog's life
• have you got the space for a dog?
• have you got a well fenced, secure garden?
• the cost of feeding a dog can be expensive! A dog needs a healthy balanced diet, not our left-overs
• what happens when you go on holiday? Who will look after your dog? Boarding kennels are not cheap, and friends and neighbours are not always reliable when looking after someone else's dog
• a dog is not a cheap alternative to a burglar alarm. If left alone for long periods of time a dog can be lonely and bored and may bark. This could become a nuisance to your neighbours and cause a problem to you
• dogs need regular exercise and play times. In a busy life, have you got time to make this commitment?

As a dog owner you have a legal duty to pick up after your dog fouls, and failure to do so can result in a fixed penalty notice of £80.

You will also need to make sure that your garden is clean and free of dog faeces. 

Dog Discs and Collar - the law

It is the law for all dogs to clearly mark ownership details on a dogs collar via a disc. The Community Protection Unit can and will prosecute in cases where a dog is found straying without name and address of its owner marked. The Dog Wardens also supply information and support on micro-chipping, but this is not a replacement for a tag and disc.

Please remember a dog is for life and a large commitment, please do not get a dog if you cannot provide it with a safe and secure home. We don't want it to become one of our statistics!