dog signs on the house

we had someone in our back garden the other night and buffy was going wild in fact so wild she actually scared me , we phoned the police and when they came out to investigate we asked what were the laws regarding my dog biting someone if they were intruding there answers are as below

1. well the intruder shouldnt have been there its the dogs place to protect

my reply but ive heard that they can take me court

2. well unless i go back and check i cannot be sure as there is a whole folder on this with all conflicting info

my reply great so you have not got a clue where we stand and you represent the law

the officer with them said

ive notice you have no sign i said yea i know this is why im asking so where do i stand now this is apparentley what all good dog owners should know

you must have a sign visible to say there is a dog loose to protect you and the dog
do not have a sign saying what breed for obvious reasons
do not have a sign saying beware as you are advertising a nasty dog

the side should only say

BE AWARE THERE IS A DOG RUNNING LOOSE

I thought id put it on so we can all BE AWARE that there are many conflicting laws and one word can have you fighting on court .

i have allways been worried where i stand as i was told many years ago if i didnt have a sign then an intruder has not been warned there is a dog so if the dog bites he has a chance in court to have the dog pts even though he shouldnt have been on the dogs premises in the first place this is why i asked them just so we know for sure it also has to be placed where it can be seen .
the same as security cameras if you have one on your property and you have no sign to say so then any evidence will not be considered . we live in a mad world as the intruder doesnt have to tell us he is going come and rob us in advance does he.

I have one sign at the front door that say beware of the dog, and you cannot trust the cat (just to be safe) and I have just put a new one on the back gate that states beware of the dog enter at your own risk. I just thought you had to have a sign, not be specific in the grammar.

I don't recall seeing any signs about dogs running loose when I was buying on ebay, I suppose I had better look for a new one

ive emailed the kennel club to ask them ive also emailed staffordshire police head quaters but as yet heard nothing so that i can get all the facts

Never put up Beward of the dog, that can be taken as your dog will bite. I used to have one "Never mind the dog, beware of the wife" This told people there is a dog but doesn't put you in the position were you are saying your dog is dangerous.

Never have a sign saying beware of the dog this implys that you are already aware that your dog could attack someone or become agressive if they enter the property and you would not have a leg to stand on because it would be said that you knew your dog was a danger to an intruder.

Dog running loose is fine.

Never display what type of dog even on house number plaques.

The law is an ass.

If you have broken glass on a high wall and an intruder tries to climb the wall and gets cut they can sue you because you have a hazzard. If you have rose bushes at the bottom of the wall and they get hurt they can't sue because they should not have been jumping the wall - work that one out!

The law in this country sucks, I have looked on ebay to find an alternative sign and there is just one that does not say beware or does not say the breed!
I would be interested to hear what the police say when they respond Jo

if they respond still waiting jo but will email again if no answer by tomorrow
why dont you make your own most of the ones on ebay are only printed and laminated

wow! i didnt even know i had to have a sign!!!! how stoopid do i feel?!
anyhoo, the whole neighbourhood knows we have a staffie! we go on walks n its, oh ur joshua's owner, he's lovely etc....
that n the fact that if u loose ur kids on our estate, likelyhood is they r in our garden playin with the dog!
will get a sign now tho

email i recieved today from staffordshire police

Joanne

Thank you for your query. I have undertaken some quick research and there is legislation that relates to 'guard dogs' including appropriate signage. I take the view that this does not relate to family pets but 'guard dogs' as we would know it i.e if dogs were used to protect a premises then relevant signage would need to be displayed.

Hope this helps.............

Inspector Neil Hulme
Newcastle NPU Commander
North Staffs Division



H4243 / Use a guard dog on premises without clearly exhibiting a warning notice


Offence Wording
On **(..SPECIFY DATE..) at **(..SPECIFY TOWNSHIP..) used

(A)_[a guard dog]_
(B)_[guard dogs]_

at **(..SPECIFY PREMISES..) when there was not clearly exhibited at each entrance to the premises a notice containing a warning that a guard dog was present
Legislation
Contrary to sections 1(3) and 5 of the Guard Dogs Act 1975.
Notes
See offence wording: H2745.
Powers Of Arrest
Arrest without warrant
Mode Of Trial
SUMMARY NON-IMPRISONABLE
Time Limit For Prosecutions
6 Months
Penalty Field
A fine not exceeding level five on the standard scale.

Time limit for prosecutions:
6 months
Fine Indicator
Yes
Max Fine Type Mag Ct
fine not exceeding level five on the legislative standard scale
Disqualification Class
discretionary disqualification not endorsable
Custodial Indicator
No
Fixed Penalty Notice Issued by Police
No
Fixed Penalty Notice Issued by Local Authorities
No
Fixed Penalty Notice Issued by Others
No
Points To Prove
date and location
use
a guard dog(s)
on premises
when warning notice(s) that a guard dog was present
was/were not clearly exhibited at each entrance
Police Actions
MCA procedure may be applied to this legislation
Legislation Code
Guard Dogs Act 1975
Offence Legal Topic
guard dogs - control by the handler
Offence Code
GD75003
MoPI Review Group
3 Always MOPI - Management of Police information - summary and link to main guidance document
PNC Code
12.16.36.1
HO Stats Code
195/99
DVLA Code
NE98
National Region
Great Britain

means nothing to me unless im just being thick lol

Wow how exciting thats as clear as mud ain't it we all know what to do now

I think if you go with what Mattie and I have said from our experiences you will all be okay. Just don't get a sign with a Staffie on it.

im glad im not the only one who thought that lol
i was beginning think i was thick as two short planks now i know i not though :D
im gonna ask jas do ours just saying something simple never mind the dog beware of the kids lolololol

I think it is the wording that matters not the picture, I have been surprised at the amount of people who do think Staffies are wonderful, friendly dogs and are upset at the way they are being portrayed in the press. This is also a chance for this board to raise money for Staffies :cheers:

Maybe someone could put several wordings for signs together then get people to buy them, they can have a picture of their own dog on as well. Don't know how much they will work out to cost or sell but may be worth looking into. They could be advertised on other boards.

do you know thats not a bad idea the ones at pets at home are only paper and laminated so dont think they would cost that much to make .

Please be aware I have 2 dogs just waiting to lick you to death!

free washes at Mandys house lolololol

I have Duke on a laminate in the car saying Staffie on Board which was done by boxer rescue to raise money brilliant idea for either cars or the house think you guys should go for this or Im happy to help where I can :)

can we have piccy of what u mean hun ? pleaseeeeeeee

Yes of course will do it tomorrow its a bit dark now and the sign is in the car but will post tomorrow

thank u hun xx

your more than welcome - I have a laminter etc so if you wanted Im more than happy to help out

I have emailed you back too hun

Hi these are the signs for the car I was talking about you could also adapt them for your house too

hhehe im loving that pic says come here ill wash you death lolololol

Yeah I know lol this piccie was used for boxer rescue so there could be hundreds of dukes dangling from peoples car windows all over the country lol

now that gives me an idea our radio station holds comps for signs of theirs spotted in car windows lol we could have one now spot duke lol