Dogs

Although it is said that a dog is a man’s best friend, this may not always hold true in certain situations.

Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 Act, any owner of a dog or the person in charge of the animal is liable under the Act if the dog worries livestock on agricultural land. Livestock is defined as including sheep, cattle, horses, goats, pigs and poultry. A farmer is entitled to protect livestock that belongs to him, or is on land, which belongs to him or where he acts under an express or implied authority of a third party.

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 exerts control over certain dangerous breeds of dog. The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 licenses and regulates the keeping of dangerous wild animals.