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Dog owners who fail to ensure their pets have a collar and identification tag will soon face prosecution through the courts and an unlimited fine.

Blaby District Council is set to become the first local authority in Leicestershire to enforce the 1992 Control of Dogs Order, which states that a dog in a public place must wear a collar and tag bearing the name and address, including post code, of the owner.

Michelle Ikin, senior animal services officer at Blaby District Council, said: “A collar and tag are absolutely vital in ensuring a lost dog can be returned to its owner quickly.

“Too many times we keep stray dogs for several days, which we wouldn’t have to do if dog owners complied with the law by having a collar and tag on their pet.”

Although the law has been in place since 1992 – two years after the Environmental Protection Act placed responsibility for strays upon councils – it has not been enforced in Leicester or the county.

But that’s all going to change – at least in Blaby district – from April 5.

Ms Ikin said: "Before 1992 it was the police who were responsible for stray dogs but the law was unclear – that's why if you ask anyone from an older generation they will remember packs of dogs roaming the streets.”

(Image: Blaby District Council)

“The way we’re looking at it is a lot more dogs used to have a collar and tag.

"So if they were spotted in the street all the person had to do was contact the owner directly and no-one else would have to be involved.”

Dog wardens in Blaby believe that the law change in 2016 requiring all dogs in England, Scotland and Wales to be micro-chipped has led to confusion among a few owners.

Ms Ikin said: "Some assume that if they have their pet chipped and the details are up to date then they don't have to wear a collar and tag.

"Of course they’re wrong because it any strays discovered will still have to be taken in and checks made – and that costs money.”

She added: "We appreciate there has been a lot of focus on the micro-chipping law, but it’s important now that we look towards making every dog out in public within the district easily identifiable if it ever does get lost.”

Last year saw a total of 58 stray dogs collected by the council, with 38 of those not having a collar on.

Each stray cost the council a minimum of £67 to collect.

From April 5, dog owners found breaking the law will be prosecuted – and face an unlimited fine.

(Image: Blaby District Council)

Ms Ikin said: "With micro-chipping, owners have a 21-day period of grace and fines are limited to £500.

"But that's the not the case with the Control of Dogs Order 1992.

"Instead, anyone who breaches the order will face automatic prosecution through the courts.

“And there is not limit to the amount of fine – it used to be £5,000 but now will be up to a judge or magistrates."

What the law says Every dog while in a highway or in a place of public resort shall wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it.

There are a handful of exceptions, including dogs being used for sport, dogs being used to capture vermin, police dogs and guide dogs.

If the law is breached the owner will be found guilty of an offence against the Animal Health Act 1981

The order is enforced by local councils - not the police

As part of the council’s efforts to make dog owners aware of the law, Animal Services officers will be visiting parks and open spaces across the district throughout March to hand out information and offer advice.

Tags can be bought and engraved from as little as £2.50 online, or from pet shops across the local area.

No-one from Leicester City Council was available to comment.

A spokesman for North West Leicestershire District Council said it has no plans at this point to enforce the collar and tag law in their area, however, added: “We have a very robust approach to owners with dogs that are identifiable.”