People with dogs who walk them on a harness could be breaking the law and opening themselves up to a hefty fine.
This is because many harnesses are not worn with an identity tag, and failure to carry an identity tag with your name and dog's address on it whilst out in public is a crime.
Beyond receiving an unlimited fine, owners could even land themselves in jail for failing to put an identity tag on their pet while out walking, as reported by The Mirror.
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Although harnesses are recommended for some smaller dog breeds like Yorkshire terriers - as traditional collars can damage their windpipe - it is crucial that owners attach an ID card if they want to avoid a potential 6-month prison sentence.
This is according to the Control of Dogs Order 1992, which stipulates that all dogs must wear a tag with their owner's name and address visible on it.
People who breach this are considered guilty of an offence against the Animal Health Act 1981 which is "punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale".
Although level 5 fines were previously limited to £5000 max, this changed in March 2015 and they can now be even higher.
A spokesperson for DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) told TeamDogs : “For crimes committed after 13 March 2015, level 5 has been done away with and all criminal penalties expressed as being punishable on summary conviction by a maximum fine of £5,000 or more, or expressed as being a level 5 fine, are now punishable by a fine of any amount (i.e. unlimited).
"That’s as a result of section 85 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
“Therefore, the maximum penalty on summary conviction will be up to six months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.”
However, the fine actually handed out are likely to be a lot lower.
In 2018, a Cocker spaniel who was picked up without a collar on near Sapcote, East Midlands, earned their owner a fine of £50, with £50 costs and a £30 victim surcharge for admitting the offence.
Owners should be aware that their postcode must also be included on their dog’s ID collar or tag, but the law does not obligate you to include your phone number.
