Legislation for Collars

Mish_Mash

Park attendants in my local area have recently become much more visible and have started to check dogs for collars and id's which I understand is a legal requirement.

A cynical person might think that this sudden interest in dog accessories comes at a time when the councils are looking to make additional revenue to bulk up there coffers ( i believe it is a 4/5k fine if there is no collar and id). However I am sure that council is only interested in the welfare of the community (choking as I say this - where have they been over the last 20 years).

Anyway back to my query. I have a shih tzu who has a delicate windpipe and I have been advised not to fit a collar. Instead I have a harness. Does this satisfy regulations? Surely the whole point of a collar is to show that a dog is owned and can be controlled - which a harness also does.

In addition, my dog is microchipped. Is microchipping enough or does the dog need to wear a tag? He did have a tag but it kept coming loose and getting lost.

Jenny_Wren_3

I'm interested in this as well. My dog also wears a harness which has a tag attached which has my mobile phone number on one side and the word microchipped on the other. I recently heard that a dogs ID tag should have the address on it but my dog is only tiny and a tag large enough for even my street name and house number would be big and heavy on her.

DogsBody

The law requires a 'collar and tag', but it'd be a right petty 'jobsworth' of a dog warden who would 'do' you for having a harness and tag instead (although they technically could, i suppose:cool:)

The law also requires the tag to have your own name and address (although it would seem far more logical to have a phone no, I suppose the address is so the dog can be returned home without faffing about? Dunno)

We have 'surname' 'house name' 'postcode' on ours, and two tel no's as well But our dogs are a decent size and can handle wearing huge medallions!

ETA think the legislation is the Control of Dogs Order 1992, but that's from memory so may be pure rubbish. I know that in our LA area, a 'first offence' just gets a ticking off, fines etc are for persistent offenders, but I guess that would vary by area.

Mish_Mash

Well I am off to the pet shop tomorrow to get another tag.

Council enforcement officers being jobsworths? That would never happen (clearing throat) especially when a person could end up with a massive fine which would benefit the council

If they push their luck re my dog harness I am more then happy to take them to court. Have had enough of being tolds what's right and wrong by bureauocrats.

lostinrates

DogsBody wrote: »

The law requires a 'collar and tag', but it'd be a right petty 'jobsworth' of a dog warden who would 'do' you for having a harness and tag instead (although they technically could, i suppose:cool:)

The law also requires the tag to have your own name and address (although it would seem far more logical to have a phone no, I suppose the address is so the dog can be returned home without faffing about? Dunno)

We have 'surname' 'house name' 'postcode' on ours, and two tel no's as well But our dogs are a decent size and can handle wearing huge medallions!

ETA think the legislation is the Control of Dogs Order 1992, but that's from memory so may be pure rubbish. I know that in our LA area, a 'first offence' just gets a ticking off, fines etc are for persistent offenders, but I guess that would vary by area.

The funny thing about this, though I'm certain you are correct, is that both policemen and private security specialists have advised me NOT to put a name and address on a dog tag....just unlisted phone numbers, because of the risk of ''dog kidnapping for ransom'' and using dog return (having pinched it first) as a cover to case remote houses/properties.

We have surname despite this and our unlisted number and a mobile. I want to adhere to the law though.

chris_n_tj

The following rules are for the guidlines from our local dog warden.

1. A tag with phone number displayed. (we have both mobile and home number, no address or dogs name. Also I am neutered is on ours.) It does say on a collar. The way around this is yes use a collar with a tag on, but also use a harness to clip the lead to. This I am told is fine.

2. Owner can produce poo bags when asked. Failure to do so can result in a £50 on the spot fine.

3. Dogs must be under control at all times.

Beckyy

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 mandates that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag. Your telephone number is optional (but advisable). You can be fined up to £5,000 if your dog does not wear an identification tag.

Pet shops usually charge a crazy amount for engraving. Search for dog tags on eBay and you can buy them very cheap with free engraving. I got one recently, £2.99 with free engraving and postage. It was big enough to fit my own & OH's name and our address on one side, and our dogs name with our phone number on the other - with space left. As it's quite cheap it's also not overly thick meaning it's quite light on the collar.

Cutterby

This is something that has always puzzled me too - certain sites say you must have address/phone number/dog name etc, but I've only ever put phone number on mine - for several reasons but when I bought our most recent tag http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/German-Shepherd-Dog-Pet-ID-Tag-Disc-Engraved-Free-/260658963256?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&hash=item3cb07c2338 I did get my surname, post code, door number and telephone number as well as 'microchipped' put on - just to cover everything!

Not me or my business, but they do most breeds and free engraving, not to mention they're speedy on delivery )

ali-t

lostinrates wrote: »

The funny thing about this, though I'm certain you are correct, is that both policemen and private security specialists have advised me NOT to put a name and address on a dog tag....just unlisted phone numbers, because of the risk of ''dog kidnapping for ransom'' and using dog return (having pinched it first) as a cover to case remote houses/properties.

We have surname despite this and our unlisted number and a mobile. I want to adhere to the law though.

I have had various things on collars over the years but one puppy class I went to you had to have name, address and phone number to pass the class. I only used these tags at class as like you say theres a lot of shady people out there. I don't want to advertise where I live to housebreakers and I think that putting all your details on a tag is a bit daft/

Now I have my surname and phone number and my staffy used to have another one that said microchipped and spayed to deter any thiefs.

PinkPeach

Mish_Mash wrote: »

Anyway back to my query. I have a shih tzu who has a delicate windpipe and I have been advised not to fit a collar. Instead I have a harness. Does this satisfy regulations? Surely the whole point of a collar is to show that a dog is owned and can be controlled - which a harness also does.

.

Hi, if this was my pooch then I'd still put the harness on but would also buy a cheapie collar to wear at the same time - only attaching the lead to the harness though of course.

It would be nice if vets were able to supply guidelines on a poster in the surgery, no-one ever seems 100% sure of the rules.

threemuttleys

Legally, it should be your name, address, postcode and a telephone number, mine have two tags, one with the above info, plus with I am neutered on the 2nd.