Taking Your Dog For a Walk, Without Getting Fined.
If you already thought the world had gone mad and getting out into the great outdoors with your pooch was a way to escape the mayhem – think again. There are plenty of byelaws dog owners could easily fall foul of. For hints and tips on taking your dog for a walk, without getting fined – Read our Holidays4Dogs article.
In November 2023, west Northamptonshire council banned all dog owners from walking more than four dogs at a time in the south Northamptonshire and Daventry districts. On-the-spot fines for anyone flouting this rule is one hundred pounds. Professional, registered dog walkers are exempt from this rule. However, they still cannot walk more than six dogs together, at any one time.
Similarly, sanctions across many local councils means that dog walkers not found to be in possession of poop scoop bags, will also face fines. This is in force across many UK counties – including my own in Worcestershire.
Carrying poop bags, so you can pick up after your dog is certainly the responsible thing to do when taking your dog for a walk. There is a need for legislation, to catch those who refuse to comply.
I have stray poop bags floating out of my handbag at the supermarket checkout. There are also poop bags in most pockets of my entire clothing wardrobe. I’m not taking any chances.
Watch out for little-known local byelaws.
But. Hang on a minute. Most of us responsible dog owners are well aware of dog fouling laws. Our Holidays4Dogs carers definitely know how important it is to strictly abide by these rules, when taking your dog for a walk. However, there are many more ways to land yourself with a fine if you are out and about on your daily stroll with Fido. If you’re unaware of local legislation, you could get into a bit of bother – so here’s a few tips.
Bristol City Council, for example, have proposed a byelaw which could ban people from picking blackberries – beware if you’re in the city and fancy a cheeky blackberry crumble for tea.
Handling fish, (namely Salmon) in, “suspicious circumstances” is also a punishable offence under the Salmon Act of 1986. Take care if your stroll includes dabbling around in a salmon weir. Probably best to leave the Macintosh and false moustache at home.
In case you were thinking of stopping at the local pond to feed the birds, don’t bother if you’re not in any of designated feeding areas in Cambridge.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990, dictates fines of over two thousand pounds for feeding ducks, or geese, in unauthorised areas. It might be better to leave the bread crusts at home.
If you’re on an urban walk in Trafalgar Square, don’t feed the pigeons either. This has been illegal since 2003 and could land you with a fine of fifty pounds.
If you’re taking your dog for a walk on any beaches in east Devon, forget about tossing the odd chip to seagulls. This is now a criminal offence, attracting an eighty pound fine. You’d probably be safer scavenging for blackberries. As long as it’s not in Bristol.
Final thoughts.
If you’re not local to an area, you could easily fall foul of some of these laws – especially the poop related ones. Unfortunately, its easy to get caught out, while taking your dog for a walk. Here’s one final word of advice –
….. if you’re ever in Oklahoma, you can still be fined – or even jailed – for “making ugly faces at a dog”. You have been warned.
