UK Dog Walking Laws: The Rules Every Dog Walker Should Know

Most walks are just a walk. But a handful of laws apply every time you step out with your dog, and a few changed in 2026. Here are the rules for England and Wales, with the differences in Scotland at the end.

Collar, Tag and Microchip

Two separate laws apply, and you need to comply with both.

A collar and tag. Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, every dog on a road or in a public place must wear a collar with the owner's name and address on it or on an attached tag. Adding a phone number is sensible. There are exceptions for some working dogs while they are working, such as police dogs, dogs herding sheep or cattle, and guide dogs. Breaking this is a criminal offence.

A microchip. Every dog in the UK must be microchipped and registered on a database by 8 weeks old, and you must keep the details up to date. You can be fined up to £500 if your dog isn't chipped or registered.

If you have moved house or changed your number, update both the tag and the microchip database.

Keeping Your Dog Under Control

Under section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is an offence to let any dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, including in your own home or garden. It applies to every breed. A dog counts as dangerously out of control if it injures someone or makes someone worried it might injure them. A court can also find it dangerously out of control if it attacks someone's animal, or if the animal's owner fears being hurt trying to stop it.

The penalties are serious:

• an unlimited fine, up to 6 months in prison, or both, for a dog dangerously out of control
• up to 5 years in prison if your dog injures someone
• up to 14 years if your dog kills someone
• up to 3 years if your dog injures an assistance dog

You could also be banned from keeping a dog, and the dog could be destroyed.

In practice this means knowing your dog. If it rushes at people or other dogs, keep it on a lead and give others space. A harness gives you more control over a strong dog, and our guide to walking on or off lead covers when letting go is sensible.

Livestock: The Law Got Tougher in 2026

Livestock worrying is a criminal offence under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. Worrying includes chasing livestock in a way that could injure them or cause them to miscarry, and being loose (not on a lead or under close control) in a field with sheep. If it happens, the owner is liable, and so is anyone else who was in charge of the dog.

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 came into force on 18 March 2026 in England and Wales. It:

• extends the offence to roads and paths, not just farmland. There is an exception if the animals have strayed onto the road, unless you set your dog on them.
• adds camelids, so alpacas and llamas now count as livestock.
• makes the fine unlimited, and lets the court make you pay the cost of kennelling a seized dog.
• gives police new powers to seize a dog they believe could attack again, take DNA samples and impressions from dogs and livestock, and enter premises with a warrant.

The Countryside Code also warns that a farmer can shoot a dog that is attacking or chasing livestock, and may not have to compensate you.

Leads in the Countryside

The Countryside Code says to always keep your dog on a lead or in sight, be confident it will come back when called, and keep it on the path. Around livestock, a lead is good practice everywhere.

On open access land (mapped areas such as moorland, heath and downland) in England and Wales, some lead rules are law:

• your dog must be on a short lead near livestock at any time of year
• your dog must be on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July, even with no livestock around, to protect birds that nest on the ground

If you don't follow these rules, you lose your right to be on that land. On coastal access land in England, the livestock rule applies but the seasonal one doesn't.

If cattle or horses come at you, let go of the lead. The Countryside Code says not to risk getting hurt protecting your dog. It will get away faster alone, and so will you.

Council Rules: PSPOs

Councils in England and Wales can make Public Spaces Protection Orders that apply to dogs in particular places. Depending on the order, you may have to:

• keep your dog on a lead
• put your dog on a lead when a police officer, PCSO or council officer tells you to
• keep your dog out of certain areas, such as children's play areas or parts of a park
• limit how many dogs you walk at once (this applies to professional dog walkers too)
• clear up after your dog, and carry bags to do it

Breaking a PSPO can mean a £100 fixed penalty, or a fine of up to £1,000 if it goes to court. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 will raise the maximum fixed penalty to £500, but that part is not yet in force. Councils must put up signs where dogs are banned, and publish their orders, so check your council's website for the rules in your area.

Dog Poo

Pick it up, every time, and put it in any public bin or take it home. In England and Wales, fouling fines are set by council PSPOs, so the amount varies. The Countryside Code also warns against leaving bags on the path or hanging them in trees to collect later. Dog poo can spread illness to people, livestock and wildlife. You can report a fouling problem to your council.

Roads

Councils can make an order designating a stretch of road where dogs must be on a lead. Under section 27 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, letting your dog on a designated road off the lead is an offence. Everywhere else, the Highway Code (rule 56) says not to let a dog out on the road on its own, and to keep it on a short lead on the pavement, road, or any path shared with cyclists or horse riders.

Scotland

Most of the above applies in Scotland too, including the collar and tag rule, section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act and designated roads. The differences:

• Access. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code gives you access rights as long as your dog is under proper control. Don't take a dog into fields with lambs, calves or other young animals. In a field with other farm animals, keep it on a short lead or close at heel. During the bird breeding season (usually April to July), keep it on a short lead or at heel on moorland, forests, grassland, loch shores and the seashore.
• Livestock worrying. Scotland updated its law in 2021. The maximum penalty is 12 months in prison, a fine of up to £40,000, or both. The 2026 changes for England and Wales don't apply.
• Fouling. Under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003, the fixed penalty is £80.
• PSPOs don't apply. They are an England and Wales power.

Everyday Etiquette

None of this is law, but it is what makes the path pleasant for everyone:

• Call your dog back when you see others coming, especially children, cyclists, horses and dogs on leads. A dog on a lead may be nervous, unwell or in training. Ask before letting dogs say hello.
• "He's friendly" isn't enough. The other dog may not be.
• Give horses a wide berth and keep your dog close until you have passed.
• Carry more bags than you need, and water on warm days.
• Put your dog on a short lead before roads, car parks and gates.
• Keep an eye on what your dog picks up. Autumn walks bring conkers and acorns, and darker evenings bring their own safety rules.

Sources

• The Control of Dogs Order 1992 and GOV.UK: get your dog microchipped
• GOV.UK: controlling your dog in public and Public Spaces Protection Orders
• Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, section 1 and Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025
• The Countryside Code and Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Schedule 2
• Road Traffic Act 1988, section 27 and the Highway Code, rules about animals
• Crime and Policing Act 2026, section 4
• Scottish Outdoor Access Code: dog walking and The Dog Fouling (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Order 2016