New dog laws: What pet owners need to know from today

For the first time, police and local authorities will be able to demand that owners take action to prevent a dog attack or risk fine of up to £20,000.

If a complaint has been made about a dog to the council or police, its owners could be ordered to do any or all of the following:

*Attend dog training classes
*Muzzle the dog or require it to be on a lead in public
*Require the dog to be microchipped and/or neutered
*Repair fencing to prevent the dog leaving the property

A new manual will guide police forces and local authorities in the use of their new legal powers to prevent dog attacks.

It is aimed at dealing with dog-related incidents that are brought to the attention of the police in England and Wales.

These powers are broken down as follows:-

Community Protection Notice

What is it? Low-level notice issued to stop anti-social behaviour

Who can issue it? Police officers, Police Community Support Officers (if designated by Chief of Police), Local authority officers, Registered social landlords

What is the test? Behaviour has to be having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality, be persistent or continuing in nature be unreasonable

Who can be issued with a CPN? An individual over the age of 16

Requirements before issuing a CPN? Issue a written warning giving reasonable time for the behaviour to stop

What happens upon breach? Officers can choose to issue a FPN (£100) or bring a prosecution for breach Breach is a criminal offence - £2500 fine / £20,000 fine for bodies

Can a CPN be appealed? Yes within 21 days of being issued

Example for CPN Test: In a residential street a person has two large dogs who persistently fails to control them, allowing the dogs to run loose on the estate. Neighbours are concerned at the distress and threat to safety of their cats. The neighbours do not think the chasing is playful (they have video footage) and fear the dogs will seriously injure or kill one or more cats soon. As a consequence, owners are keeping their cats indoors as much as possible. A verbal warning was issued to the dogs’ owner after complaints from several of the neighbours but their failure to control the dogs has continued. The situation meets the CPN threshold and provides the swiftest and most cost effective solution to the circumstances of this case (rather than making a complaint to the Magistrates Court, for example under the Dogs Act 1871).

^{Dog barking Getty}

Injunctions

What is it? For higher level incidents eg intimidation, attacks on incidents involving other animals

Who can apply for it? Police (including British Transport Police), Local authorities, Environment Agency and Natural Resources Body for Wales, Transport for London

What is the test? An individual has engaged or threatens to engage in anti-social behaviour, meaning: Conduct that has caused or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person. Conduct that has caused or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person.

Who can be issued with one? An individual over the age of 10

What can an Injunction do? Requirements to microchip/ neuter/muzzle/ keep dog on a lead. Attend training classes. Attend behavioural classes. Prohibit access to certain areas at certain times

Can an Injunction be appealed? Yes , over 18s to the High Court and under 18s to the Crown Court

Criminal Behaviour Order

What is it? Serious and continuing ASB with dogs. For example where dogs are used to intimidate people

How to apply? Only the prosecutor. Police/local authorities can request the prosecution to apply for the order

What is the test? Court must be satisfied that the individual has engaged in behaviour that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress AND That making the order will help prevent anti-social behaviour

Who can be issued with one? Anyone convicted of a criminal offence

What can a CBO do? Compulsory training. Limiting the dogs an individual can own. Prohibiting access to certain areas at specific times. Microchip/neuter/muzzle

How long does a CBO last? Under 18s: 1-3 years. Over 18s: Min of 2 years – indefinitely. The court can vary or discharge a CBO and for those under 18 years of age they can be reviewed

How is a CBO appealed? Youth/Magistrates court or crown court

^{A dog barking (Alamy)}

Public Spaces Protection Orders

Purpose: An order to restrict persistent anti-social behaviour in a public space

Issued by: District, county, unitary authorities. London borough councils

Test? Activities carried out in a public place are having, have had or will have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality

Details: Exclude dogs. Require faeces to be picked up. Dogs on lead. Restrict number of dogs walked by one person

How is a PSPO challenged? High Court within six weeks by an interested person