Guidance

Code of practice for the welfare of dogs

This document provides advice on owning a dog.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 8 April 2013
• Last updated: 6 April 2018 — See all updates

Documents

Code of practice for the welfare of dogs

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-0171-9

PDF, 1.7 MB, 19 pages

Details

The purpose of the code of practice (the Code) is to provide practical guidance to help you to comply with the provisions of Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the Act). It does not tell you precisely how to care for a dog, but summarises important things you should consider when making decisions about how best to care for your dog.

Breach of a provision of this Code is not an offence in itself but, if proceedings are brought against you for an offence under Section 9 of the Act, the Court will look at whether or not you have complied with the Code in deciding whether you have committed an offence.

Published 8 April 2013
Last updated 6 April 2018 + show all updates

1. 6 April 2018

   Latest version of the code of practice for the welfare of dogs added.

2. 22 December 2017

   Published an updated draft of the code of practice for the welfare of dogs.

3. 8 April 2013

   First published.