Dog owners could face a hefty £5,000 fine and even jail time if they choose a harness over a collar.
This is because it's against the law to walk your dog without an identity tag which should include your name and address.
This could be difficult for some smaller breeds, as collars could hurt their small windpipes. Owners can still use a harness so long as the dog has a collar with an identification tag.
The fine comes as part of Control of Dogs Order 1992 law for Scotland and England. The law states that dogs must wear a collar with owners name, address, and postcode on it.
So while you don't actually have to use the collar, your dog should be wearing identification in order for you to avoid possible fines.
The rule applies even if a dog is microchipped, with Blue Cross saying in a statement: "Even if your dog is microchipped, they still need to wear a collar or tag. Exemptions apply for some working dogs.
"We recommend you add your mobile number so you can be contacted at any time in case your dog goes missing."
Fines handed out under this rule are often on the lower end of things, for example In 2018, a Cocker spaniel picked up without a collar in the East Midlands.
The owner was fined £50, with £50 costs and a £30 victim surcharge for admitting the offence.
While fines aren't typically huge, the law could allow for an uncapped fine, which was previously capped at £5,000.
DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) also told TeamDogs that the maximum penalty could be up to six months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Did you know about this law? Let us know in the comments.
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