Urgent warning to dog owners as they face £2,000 fine and having their pet seized if they don’t wear a collar
DOG owners are being urged to ensure their four-legged friends are wearing a collar before heading on a stroll this summer.
Brits have been warned they could be slapped with a hefty fine, risk their beloved pets being seized, or even face jail for forgetting.
Experts from reminded owners it is against the law to take your dog in public without a collar that features your name and address - even if they are microchipped.
Any owner caught falling foul of the rules can be punished with an eye-watering £2,000 fine and a six-month custodial sentence.
Anyone considering taking their pup out without a collar could also face them being seized.
The Control of Dogs Order 1992 - which covers England, Wales and Scotland - states that dogs must have an identity tag on their collar.
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Owners who don't comply and are caught in a public place will be found guilty of an offence against the Animal Health Act 1981.
Any local authority officer can execute and enforce the law, so its best to ensure your canine is kitted out before leaving the house.
So, to ensure you have a safe summer of fun with your furry friend, make sure you secure a collar with all your details attached.
It must feature your name and address, which can either be inscribed or attached using a plate, badge or tag.
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This also helps owners if their pets escape their homes - as without a collar, dogs can be treated as a stray under section 3 of the Dogs Act 1906 or section 149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
But the law does have some exceptions, such as dogs who work in emergency rescue or those working on a farm tending livestock.
Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of, said: "With everyone feeling the financial pinch, the last thing pet owners need is a hefty fine for forgetting something so simple as popping the collar on their dog.
"The law may seem harsh, and having your pet seized seems unthinkable, but the rules are in place for good reason.
"The law is there to protect dogs so that their owners can be easily traced if they go missing.
"It’s also there to protect people, if a dog attacks someone, the authorities need to be able to contact the owner.
"It’s also essential to ensure that details are up to date on the collar and to be aware of the risks of not having the correct information.
"We also recommend that dog owners include their phone numbers on the collar in case of an emergency so that the pet can be safely returned quickly."
A vet previously told animal lovers they should swerve taking their pup on a walk at a certain time of day during summer.
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Experts also warned first-time dog owners that taking in a certain breed can lead to spiralling vet bills.
And this vet explained why people need to keep their common bathroom items far away from their pooches for both their sakes.