Dogs are welcome in Hilly Fields and there is a thriving sociable group of dog owners who can regularly be seen come rain or shine. The place would not be the same without them. Perhaps one of them would like to do a blog for our website, like our bird champions’ blog? (yes we now have more than one)
On the rare occasions when there have been serious dog attacks, a wealth of stories emerge about other incidents. However, Animal Welfare cannot follow up on unreported incidents. So if you witness or are the victim of a dog attack, you should report it to Animal Welfare. You can email Kay Foley at:
Kay.Foley@lewisham.gov.uk or phone Animal Welfare on Tel: 020 8314 2098
Try to get as much information on the incident as if safely possible.
Lewisham’s Dog Control Orders are now in operation in the Borough. This unfortunately means we have some additional clutter at park entrances!
YOUR DOG AND THE LAW
Owning a dog brings a lot of enjoyment but also a great deal of responsibility. This page is designed to give you an idea of the laws relating to dog ownership.
Dog Control Orders
An offence under the Dog Control Order can result in an on-the-spot £75 fine and fines of up to £1000. Offences include:
1. Fouling of land by dogs and failing to remove dog faeces.
All public footpaths and highways, including tree bases, grass verges and gutters. All parks, gardens and open spaces where dogs are permitted.
2. Not keeping a dog on a lead.
All public footpaths and highways. Nature reserves:
Burnt Ash Pond, Grove Park, Sydenham Cottages. Cemeteries and crematoriums
3. Not putting, and keeping, a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer.
All parks, gardens and open spaces where dogs are permitted.
4. Taking more than four dogs onto specified areas.
All parks, gardens and open spaces where dogs are permitted.
5. Permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded.
All play areas, fenced sports areas within parks, gardens and open spaces. Play areas on housing estates. Other areas where dog exclusion orders are in operation:
Identification
All dogs in public places must wear a collar with a plate or tag, with the owner’s contact details inscribed on it.
Failure to do so can result in the dog being picked up as a stray and fines of up £5000. It is also advisable to get your dog microchipped. This greatly increases the chances of you being reunited with your dog, should you lose it.
Fouling
Under the Fouling of Land Act, failure to clean up faeces deposited by your dog can result in an on-the-spot fine of £50 and/or leave you facing fines of up to £1000 and a criminal record. Find out more
Stray dogs
A dog is considered a stray if it is not under the control of its owner in any public place, or on any private land without the permission of the landowner. This may result in the dog being picked up by the Animal Welfare Service and the owner fined for its return.
Dangerous Dogs
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it an offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place. This can result in the police seizing the dog and in severe cases obtaining a court order for the destruction of the dog.
Dogs which are named under the DDA 1991 must be kept on lead by someone who is sixteen or over, and muzzled in public. Dogs named in the act include the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Filo Braziliero. It is now an offence to own these dogs unless they have been registered.
Dogs and livestock
Dogs must never worry livestock: Even letting your dog walk in the same field as livestock may be considered as “worrying”. A farmer is entitled to kill your dog if it is worrying livestock.
For Any Dog Queries contact
Animal welfare
Tel: 020 8314 2098