Animal Health Act 1981

13 Orders as to dogs. E+W+S

(1) The Minister may make such orders as he thinks fit for prescribing and regulating—

(a) the muzzling of dogs, and the keeping of dogs under control; and

(b) so far as is supplemental to paragraph (a) above—

(i) the seizure, detention, and disposal (including slaughter) of stray dogs and of dogs not muzzled, and of dogs not being kept under control; and

(ii) the recovery from the owners of dogs of the expenses incurred in respect of their detention.

(2) The appropriate Minister may make such orders as he thinks fit—

(a) for prescribing and regulating the wearing by dogs, while in a highway or in a place of public resort, of a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or a badge attached to it;

(b) with a view to the prevention of worrying of animals (including horses), for preventing dogs or any class of dogs from straying during all or any of the hours between sunset and sunrise;

(c) for providing that any dog in respect of which an offence is being committed against provisions made under either paragraph (a) or (b) above, may be seized and treated as a stray dog under the enactments relating to dogs;

(d) for prescribing and regulating—

(i) the seizure, detention and disposal (including slaughter) of stray dogs and of dogs not muzzled; and

(ii) the recovery from the owners of dogs of the expenses incurred in respect of their detention.

[F1 (3) An order under subsection (2)(a) above may include provision for the execution and enforcement of the order by the officers of local authorities (and not by the police force for any area).

(4) In subsection (3) above “local authority” and “officer” have the same meaning as in section 149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 13(3)(4) inserted (14.2.1992 for certain purposes and 1.4.1992 in so far as not already in force) by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), s. 151(1); S.I. 1992/266, arts.2, 3.