Dog owners warned after two separate incidents

Police are warning dog owners in Orkney to keep their pets under control after two separate incidents in Hoy and Deerness.

By law, owners must ensure that their animals’ behaviour does not cause alarm or apprehension to anyone else.

And the police highlighted that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 now applies to all dogs regardless of breed or size and covers any place, not just public places. This includes any private place the dog is permitted to be, for example the dog owner’s garden and home or any other person’s garden.

A police spokesman said: “Dog owners can be served with a ‘Dog Control Notice’ if they do not keep their dog under proper control. Anyone who fails to comply with a DCN can be fined and /or the court can order the dog to be put down.”