Dog owners told to control their animals
DOG owners with out-of-control pets are risking prosecution and fines, Guernsey Police have warned, following a spike in the number of incidents.
A total of 52 incidents involving injury to a person or animal, injury or death to livestock, or a near miss or minor injury, have been reported to the police in the past 12 months.
In serious circumstances, owners who fail to control their dogs can face prosecution and fines.
‘Some of the incidents have resulted in people having to go to Accident & Emergency, while there have been several near misses where clothes have been torn,’ said Detective Sergeant Adam Miller.
He said that a mixture of breeds were responsible for the incidents.
Police believe that owners should constantly be aware of their dog’s whereabouts when taking them out for a walk.
‘They need to know where the dog is all the time. They also need to know that when they let their dog off the lead, it is safe to do so, and that there is are no risks to livestock or other animals nearby.’
He emphasised the importance of ensuring that a dog would respond promptly to an owner’s command.
‘If there is any doubt about the dog’s capability to return to you when out walking, then it should be kept on a lead,’ he said.
‘Ultimately responsibility falls on dog owners to keep their pets under control.
'Often it’s a case of common sense and just stopping and thinking what would be the most responsible thing to do in any given situation.’
DS Miller added that it was important for owners to keep their houses secure.
‘Of the incidents we’ve dealt with, a number have come from dogs who have been able to break out of a house.
‘The law is the law. It doesn’t matter if the dog is a six-month-old puppy.
‘If an owner is not confident that their dog will return immediately when called, then the dog is not under the owner’s control.’
