Dog Control Notice
If your dog behaves in a way that worries or scares people, the local council may give you a Dog Control Notice.
This is a formal notice that tells you what you must do to keep your dog under control.
Getting a Dog Control Notice
You may get a notice from a dog warden if your dog is out of control.
A dog is considered out of control if all the following apply:
- you're not keeping your dog under effective and consistent control
- your dog’s behaviour makes someone feel worried or scared – and their concern is reasonable
Before giving you a notice, the dog warden will look into what happened. They will speak to you and gather information from others involved.
A Dog Control Notice can only apply to one dog. If you have several dogs that are out of control, you could get several notices.
If someone else is looking after your dog
Anyone in charge of a dog must keep it under control. However, if someone else is looking after your dog, you’re still responsible for its behaviour. This is because you’re the owner, or the person who looks after the dog day-to-day.
What you need to do
The notice will tell you what you must do to keep your dog under control. This could include:
- keeping your dog on a lead in public
- going to dog training classes
- using a muzzle
The rules in your notice will be based on your dog and situation. There are no standard rules. The dog warden will decide what’s needed.
Your local council may give you a deadline to do certain things, like completing training by a set date.
The dog warden will work with you to help you meet the rules. They may also check in with you to see how things are going.
If you and your dog meet the rules and it continues to be well-behaved, your notice could be lifted.
If you do not follow the Dog Control Notice
If you do not do what the notice says, the council may report the case to the procurator fiscal. This could lead to a criminal case.
If a court decides you’ve committed an offence, they can:
- give you a fine of up to £1,000
- ban you from owning a dog
- take your dog away
How to appeal a Dog Control Notice
You can appeal a notice given by a dog warden by contacting your local sheriff court. You have 21 days to appeal.
While your appeal is ongoing, the court may pause the notice. The council must follow the court’s decision.
You can get free independent advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau. You can also get legal advice from a solicitor. If you’re on a low income you may qualify for legal aid.
What happens with your information
When you get a notice, the local council will keep a record of your details. The police also have access to this information.
There is no public record of people who have a Dog Control Notice.
If you move or give your dog to someone else
If you move to a different council area, your notice may move with you.
If you give your dog to someone else, either:
- the existing notice will apply to the dog and new owner
- a dog warden will lift the notice if they are satisfied the dog is under control