Responsible Dog Ownership

A dog as a gift is not a good idea. If you feel you would like a dog, ask yourself a few questions first.

• Have you enough space in your home?
• Do you have plenty of spare time to look after your pet properly?
• Can you afford to feed, house and pay any costs, eg equipment, vets bills etc which crop up during the lifetime of the dog?
• Who will look after the dog in your absence (holidays, illness etc)?

If you have decided that you want a dog remember there are further rules for the responsible dog owner.

 

Do not allow your dog to stray. They may be a hazard on the roads, a general nuisance to the public and a possible health risk to children. Any owner of a dog which is picked up by the Council as a stray, may have to pay the costs incurred.

 

Clean up after your dog has fouled. Failure to do so may result in a fixed penalty notice being issued if you are caught. Always carry a plastic bag for this purpose.

 

Control your dog at all times. Train it properly, at an organised club if possible. Praise and encouragement are vital and make training fun.

 

Don't tease your dog, it can provoke aggression.

 

Exercise is important, give plenty in a safe place.

 

Find out if your dog is noisy. Constant barking is very annoying and can result in legal action if a nuisance is caused. It can usually be solved by not leaving your dog alone for long periods of time.

Remember a dog is for life!

For further information on dog related issues please contact us on 01329 236100 or e-mail regulatory@fareham.gov.uk .

 

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