St Austell police warn: the dog law that reaches into your own home

Your own garden. Your own hallway. Under the law that covers a dog that gets dangerously out of control, neither one is off limits, and St Austell Police say they have taken more reports of it than usual this summer.

What counts as “dangerously out of control”

The force says it has seen a rise in reports over the summer from members of the public about dogs of various breeds not being kept in proper control, in both public and private places, with people injured and pets seriously hurt or killed.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is a criminal offence for any dog, of any breed, to be dangerously out of control. That covers a dog injuring another person or animal, or simply causing someone to fear injury. No bite is needed for a dog to fall foul of the law, and no particular breed is singled out either. It comes down to what the dog actually does.

Where the law applies

This is the part that catches people out. The offence is not limited to the street or the park. Officers say it applies:

• in a public place
• in a private place, such as a neighbour’s house or garden
• in the owner’s own home

A dog behaving aggressively towards a visitor on your own doorstep, or getting loose in a neighbour’s garden, falls under exactly the same law as an incident in the street. There is no home-turf exemption.

What responsible ownership looks like

Officers are encouraging dog owners to take positive measures to control their dogs’ behaviour, particularly in public places. Alongside the appeal, the force is pointing owners towards a few basics: using a lead when it is needed, being honest about what your dog can and can’t cope with, respecting other people’s space, using a muzzle where it is appropriate, and putting safety ahead of pride when a situation starts to turn.

None of it is about breed. It is about behaviour, and about the choices an owner makes before a dog ever gets the chance to become a problem.

Whether that summer rise in reports settles down as the season turns is something Cornwall’s police will be watching.

📷Credit: St Austell Police