Dogs Off Leads - Nuisance To Traffic

[phoebe12]

My neighbour has 2 dogs - I've never seen them on lead - I regularly have to slam on the brakes to avoid them. Last time, my daughter who was in the back seat, received nasty seat belt burns on her shoulder. I doesn't really make me want to avoid them, but off course, instinct will take over and will continue to leave rubber on the road. Is ther nothing in law that forces dog owners to keep their animals on a lead? Admitedly it is a no through road and very quiet, but this is quite a regular occurrence.

[kawakiri]

27 Control of dogs on roads.

(1)A person who causes or permits a dog to be on a designated road without the dog being held on a lead is guilty of an offence.

(2)In this section “designated road” means a length of road specified by an order in that behalf of the local authority in whose area the length of road is situated.

(3)The powers which under subsection (2) above are exercisable by a local authority in England and Wales are, in the case of a road part of the width of which is in the area of one local authority and part in the area of another, exercisable by either authority with the consent of the other.

(4)An order under this section may provide that subsection (1) above shall apply subject to such limitations or exceptions as may be specified in the order, and (without prejudice to the generality of this subsection) subsection (1) above does not apply to dogs proved—

(a)to be kept for driving or tending sheep or cattle in the course of a trade or business, or

(b)to have been at the material time in use under proper control for sporting purposes.

(5)An order under this section shall not be made except after consultation with the chief officer of police.

(6)The Secretary of State may make regulations—

(a)prescribing the procedure to be followed in connection with the making of orders under this section, and

(b)requiring the authority making such an order to publish in such manner as may be prescribed by the regulations notice of the making and effect of the order.

(7)In this section “local authority” means—

(a)in relation to England and Wales, the council of a county, metropolitan district or London borough or the Common Council of the City of London, and

(b)in relation to Scotland, a [F1council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994].

(8)The power conferred by this section to make an order includes power, exercisable in like manner and subject to the like conditions, to vary or revoke it.

[kawakiri]

Above from road traffic act 1988
Below from control of dogs order 1992

Offences

3.  The owner of a dog or the person in charge of a dog who, without lawful authority or excuse, proof of which shall lie on him, causes or permits the dog to be in a highway or in a place of public resort not wearing a collar as prescribed in article 2(1) above shall be guilty of an offence against the Animal Health Act 1981.

[woofgang]

what a stupid neighbour you have. Have you spoken to him/her about it?

[Zacs-Master]

Ooops. Looks like I break the law every day.

[Svejk]

if its a no through road and quiet why are you driving fast enough to 'slam the brakes on' and 'leave rubber on the road' especially with a child on board.

[RATTER15]

Dogs off lead are a bloody nuisance, we come across this situation often when walking our hounds in town, we come across people all the time that seem to think the law does not apply to them, it causes problems because they approach our hounds. The problem with that is our hounds weigh 10 stone + each and we have three, they are perfectly well behaved but can get agitated if another dog is around and not being controlled. I have had a few fall outs with these people who think they are above the law.

[phoebe12]

15 mph is still enough to kill an animal, but I imagine most people would agree a sensible speed for a quite road.

[Svejk]

obviously not, if you gave seatbelt burns to your daughter.

[pastafreak]

Svejk is saying what I wanted to say...

[Gizmonster]

I think even at 15mph, slamming on hard and coming to a sudden stop, would cause quite a jolt. I live in a cul-de-sac and prob travel at the same speed.
To be honest, you say that it's a regular occurrence ... it's prob only a matter of time before one of them gets run over .... I'm not wishing any harm, to come to the dogs, but maybe the owners might end up learning the hard way :(

[Chipchopper]

I often encounter the same sort of problem when driving down a local lane.
What always amazes me, is that these dog owners with their dogs running all over the road, look at me as if its me whose in the wrong for driving on the road!
I wouldn't dream of letting my dog off the leash on the roadway.
Dog control signs tend to get ripped down.