The Bourtons - News
Message for Dog Owners and Walkers
Posted by Julie Tomlin on Nov 25 2009There is no legal requirement to keep your dog on a lead around the village (The Road Traffic Act does require this on designated roads, but the dog warden tells us that Cherwell have not designated the roads in this district). However various legislation requires dog owners to ensure their dogs are under control at all times. What does this mean? This one is for the lawyers, but as a guideline if your dog changes its behaviour on meeting other people or dogs then it is arguably not under proper control and you should consider keeping the dog on a lead when out on the roads, in contact with other people and animals. Even if the dog is not being walked by the owner, it is the owner who is accountable for that dog's behaviour.
Please use common sense and consider that other everyone has every right to walk around the village without fear of either their dog or themselves being attacked. Even "play" can be seen as threatening. If your dog loves people and other dogs and runs up to them, perhaps keep it on a lead until you have checked with the other people or dog owner that it is okay for your dog to come and play.
A word for the farmers too - Please keep your dog on a lead anywhere near sheep!
Thank you.
Last changed: Nov 25 2009 at 2:20 PM
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