May 24, 2014 Chiddingfold news

Home Music Contacts Archive Police Reports

Surrey Police    Dogs and changes in the law and dog chipping event at Farnham Park

Dear Residents
We often get a lot of reports about dogs (aswell as reports about cats, fish sheep, cows, horses, ducks, swans & chickens) in Waverley.
In relation to Dogs we thought we should update you about the changes in the law.
On 13th May 2014 the amended Dangerous Dogs Act came into effect in England and Wales.
This law applies to all dog owners no matter what size or breed the dog is.

What is changing on 13th May 2014?

The act now covers incidents on private property in addition to public spaces. This includes your own house, any driveway and both front and back gardens. Police or an appointed local authority now have powers to seize a dog which is dangerously out of control dog in a private place. The previous legislation only covered public places. It will now be an offence for your dog to attack an assistance dog (Guide Dog, Hearing Dog etc). Prison sentences will be increased for those convicted of some offences.
What if my dog attacks an intruder on my premise?
The new legislation outlines that a householder will not be prosecuted under the Dangerous Dog Act 1991 should their dog attack a trespasser that has entered or is in the process of entering their home.
If I own a dog what do I need to do?
Ensure your gardens are made safe and secure so that your dog cannot get out. Consider how to keep delivery drivers or unexpected visitors safe on your property and ensure that any visitor can safely access your front door without encountering your dog. Manage your dog when someone knocks and make sure that your dog is fully under control before you open the front door. The easiest and quickest way to do this is to shut your dog in another room, put it in a crate/cage, or the rear garden.
Don’t let your dog jump up at strangers. What you consider to be your dog being friendly by jumping up at visitors may be seen as threatening behaviour by a stranger.
If you require assistance with any of the above then consider seeking advice or lessons from a qualified dog trainer or behavioural therapist so that you are able to teach your dog how to behave in the way you would like.
If you act responsibly and follow the above simple advice then you will protect yourselves and help to ensure that everyone is kept safe. If you fail to do so then you may commit criminal offence and face prosecution.

On Saturday 24th May 2014 from 11am - 3pm, representatives from The Dogs Trust will be located in the main entrance of Farnham Park, Folly Hill, Farnham.
They will microchip your dog for FREE!
This is a fantastic offer so please could you pass this on to your neighbourhood and as many others who you think would benefit from this offer.

Posters will be put up to advertise the event and it will also be going in the local papers. Contact 0207 8370006 for more details or visit www.chipmydog.org.uk Please get you dog chipped as it saves a lot of time and effort on for us, if we come across a stray dog with no idea where is from and we have no facility to keep them therefore if your dog goes missing you may find yourself with a hefty bill from the kennel. Thanks Waverley SNT.