Experts from TopDog are warning of a little-known car rule that could cost pet owners a lot of money if not followed correctly.
Taking your dog in the car so they can walk in an exciting new place is great, but doing so the wrong way could land you in a lot of trouble.
Under UK law all dogs must be properly restrained when in a car. This means either securely wrapping the seat belts around any carry cases/cages or using a pet-friendly seat belt, and failure to do so could land dog owners with a maximum fine of £5,000 and invalidate insurance.
Danielle Taylor, founder and director of Doggy Adventures, pet care services, says: “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.
There are a few methods of tethering available on the market, however I recommend owners use a dog seatbelt as a starting point. 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 lesser-known law that could see owners faced with a hefty fine is dogs not wearing their identification tags. They must be wearing this at all times, and it must be attached to their collar. Even if you choose to walk your dog in a harness, the tag should still be attached to a collar. Fines of up to £2,000 can be given if this isn’t obeyed.
John Skinner, co-founder of TopDog, says: “At TopDog we’ve designed our harnesses so dogs can wear both their harness and collar comfortably together. Our best-selling harness, the It’s Just An Illusion design, is also in our adjustable range – so dogs can wear it with their collar from puppy stage to adulthood.”
Dog owners also need to be aware of other fines they could receive if they are spotted disobeying laws related to being out and about.
Dogs must be under control out in public, but if you are walking near a farm with sheep or cows, for example, extra care should be taken not to ‘worry’ them. 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. Farmers also have the right to shoot dogs if they believe they are worrying the livestock on their land.
Clearing up after your dog is another strict rule, with many communities getting frustrated when this doesn’t happen. On the stop fines of £100 can be given, or £1,000 if prosecuted.
And in some places, councils are cracking down further by fining people for not carrying poo bags at all. Canterbury, Daventry and North Somerset will issue fines of up to £100 for anyone not having at least two poo bags.
Going for a walk on the beach with your pup is another thing that dog owners have to be mindful of or risk facing a fine. Most beaches have restrictions from May to September where if you are caught you could face fines of up to £1,000. There are however many beaches in the UK where you can walk your dog all year round, so it is worth checking and planning ahead.
Head to TopDog’s blog for a full list of fines that dog owners could face if not following the rules.
