Laws for dog owners

• The owner or person in charge of a dog can be fined up to £5000 if the dog is not wearing a collar showing the owner's name and address when in a public place, even if the dog is tattooed or mircochipped
• The owner or person in charge of any dog which causes injury or damage to a person, property or livestock is liable and may have to pay compensation
• It is an offence for any dog to be "dangerously out of control" in a public place
• The owner or person in charge of a dog who fails to pick up and dispose of their dog's mess can be prosecuted with a fixed penalty of £50 or a maximum court fine of £1000 and a criminal record
• Stray dogs can be picked up by the dog/animal warden and there will be a charge before the dog can be reunited with its owner
• You can be prosecuted if your dog is a nuisance to your neighbours with a maximum fine of £5,000
• If you kill a dog whilst driving a vehicle you must report it to the police