I understand that in the UK, The Control of Dogs Order 1992 (www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/901/article/2/made) requires all dogs in a public place to have a collar showing the owners contact details (name, address, postcode). I gather that the offense is punishable by a hefty fine for the owner.
I have on several sits been expected to walk dogs in public places without a collar (sometimes with a loop lead or a harness). I feel that it is unacceptable to put someone in a position like this. It is embarrassing, but my approach now is to inform the host that this is a breach of legislation for which they would have to pay the penalty if a charge is incurred.
If you have experience of this or a view about this topic please provide your thoughts for discussion and advice.
As the poster of the original Topic it appears I did not make my point clear. All the posting so far having been about the interpretation of the law, but this was not my question. I am actually asking about how one addresses the problem of a host expecting the sitter to walk a dog in contravention to UK law.
Please let me know how you would respond to a host who expects a sitter to walk a dog in a public place without a collar.
I was not aware and I did not pay attention to it. One owner told me not to link the leash to the ring of the dog tag, because the dog might break it and it was pricey to replace it. So that must have been that mandatory tag.
I haven’t experienced it as all dogs we have looked after in U.K. either had a collar or were walked on private land . If I was in this situation I would tell the host that I am not comfortable walking the dog without a collar (and tag ).
Some sitters have a tag with their mobile number on it which they take with them to each sit . Which is a good idea if the dog runs off and someone finds them they can contact the sitter directly . But this only can only be done if the dog has a collar to attach the tag to .
Ask the question
Do you have a collar and ID tag for your dog ?
Yes no issues
No
I understand its required by law so can you could sort that out for when i sit please.
Yes no problem
No up to you to accept or decline sit
Or additional option, i know not what you asked but just a thought
You coukd buy a collar and tag with your own contact details on and take that with yoiu so if the dog does get lost anyone finding it would phone you.
It is unlikely to be an issue unless the dog gets lost. Noone goes around checking that dogs have tags on.
I tell hosts that I don’t walk dogs off leash, because I don’t want to risk them not returning and potentially getting hit by cars if they live in such places.
If the dogs have been trained to walk off leash and we’re in places where they’re safe from cars and such, I’ll do it at my discretion, because I’m responsible for them. Pets also can behave differently with sitters vs. hosts, so I use my judgment, depending on the pet and circumstances.
For dog sits, I have a metal tag engraved with “dog sitter” and my cell phone number, which I can add and remove with each sit.
Ive just asked the HO of my next sit if the dogs have collars & tags, and she replied that she’ll get the tags ordered. So its worth asking HOs before the sit begins giving enough time for then to get it sorted. @Kendal thank you for this prompt.
