Dogs and the Law

Never allow your dog to stray. You or another responsible person must always be with your dog when it is in a public place. Dogs may be prohibited from certain recreational areas or children's play parks. Please ensure that your exercise your dog in a permitted area.

• Your dog must wear a collar and tag with your name and address on it, outwith your property, even if it has been microchipped (Control of Dogs Order, 1992).
• You commit an offence (for which you may be fined) if you fail to clear up after your dog if it fouls in a public place (Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003).
• Your dog must always be on a lead when walking beside a designated road (Roads (Scotland) Act 1984).
• Tenants - check legalities of having a dog in your home e.g. missive to let.
• The Local Authority will keep stray dogs for 7 days to allow their owners to claim them. Thereafter they can be rehomed or destroyed (Environmental Protection Act 1990).