Venturing out with your dog for a drive to their favourite walking spot could sound like an ideal outing, but neglecting to secure your furry friend properly in the car can bring about dire repercussions.
It’s mandatory by law to appropriately restrain all dogs during vehicle travel, employing methods such as securing travel cages with seat belts or utilising pet-specific seat belt harnesses. Non-compliance can lead not only to steep fines – potentially rising to £5,000 – but may also result in your car insurance becoming void.
Danielle Taylor, the founder of Doggy Adventures, highlighted the significance of safety during commutes: “Whether it is just a quick trip to the shop or a long haul journey, it is crucial that both you and your pets are kept safe whilst travelling.
“The Road Traffic Act (1988) and Rule 58 of the Highway Code, inform us about the necessity of securely tethering our pets to our vehicles to prevent distraction to the driver and thus injury to them, ourselves and the public in the event of an accident.”
Many alternatives exist to ensure your pet’s security within the vehicle, with Taylor suggesting the cost-effective and adaptable option of a dog seatbelt as a preliminary measure.
Danielle said: “This is by far the cheapest option available and also incredibly versatile, but should only be used on the rear seats and attached to a dog’s harness, not collar.”
Another law stipulates that dogs must don identification tags at all times. The tags must be attached to their collar even when harnessed, and flouting this rule could lead to fines reaching £2,000, reports the Express.
Dog owners ought to be clued up about penalties associated with their pet’s conduct in public areas. When traipsing around livestock, such as on farmland, it’s imperative to steer clear of disturbing the beasts.
TopDog co-founder John Skinner said: “Owners must prevent their dogs from attacking or chasing livestock, or being out of control off lead in a field or else they could be fined a maximum of £1,000.”
To compound concerns for pooch patrons, farmers have the legal right to shoot dogs causing anxiety to livestock on their property.
Additionally, there’s a mandate to tidy up after your canine companion. Neglecting this responsibility could lead to immediate fines of £100 or, if taken to court, the penalty might escalate to £1,000.
Some local authorities, like Canterbury, Daventry and North Somerset, are taking proactive measures by imposing fines of up to £100 to those found without a couple of spare poo bags at least.
Don’t forget the seaside statutes either; numerous coasts impose dog-free zones from May through September, where breaches may trigger fines nearing £1,000.
Nonetheless, there’s a bounty of shorelines amenable to dogs all year, so it isworth checking the local rules beforehand to sidestep any unwelcome shocks.