Having a pet dog comes with a lot of responsibilities. It’s the dog parents’ legal obligation to fulfill these responsibilities. Several dog-related laws have been placed to ensure the pet’s protection, health, wellbeing, and keep everyone around safe. These laws define most aspects of a dog’s life like the breeding methods, microchipping, adequate ways to keep them in kennels, boarding, walking, and many more.
By understanding the dog-related laws, you can have a clear view of your legal responsibilities as a pet parent. Let’s dig in deep to discuss these obligations, surrounding laws, and their liabilities when one fails to fulfill them.
Pet Responsibilities
The pet parent must improve their dog’s well-being. These obligations are protected by the law and ensure pet care at different levels. Here’s a quick review of these responsibilities.
- As soon as you pick an animal, it becomes your responsibility to take lifelong care of them. This responsibility includes providing adequate care based on the breed.
- Provide dog food, shelter, and a safe living environment.
- It will be your responsibility to provide the dog with adequate care if they are kept outdoors. The outdoor conditions should be feasible enough to provide protection from bad weather and you must ensure it’s comfortable so your pet doesn’t experience distress.
- The dog you keep as a pet should be easy to identify. You can use tags or microchip your pet for this purpose. The dog’s records must always be up to date.
- Practice controlled breeding
There are a plethora of other regulations to follow from providing them with regular exercise to giving sufficient training. Legal responsibilities might vary on state and federal levels, so it is best to contact local authorities for confirmation.
Pet Laws in Residential Areas
Most property owners and landlords have a set of rules you need to follow if you want to keep your pooch living in the building. You cannot force them to accept your pet as the law allows them to make a decision. Even in pet-friendly compounds, it is your job to respect the surroundings, by picking up your dog’s droppings, etc.
Pet Licensing and Vaccination
Besides providing food, shelter, and adequate care, it’s your responsibility by law to get your dog vaccinated against diseases. Licensing is also crucial for easy identification and returns if your furry friend is found running loose. Some states also require your pet to get neutered to prevent them from breeding. Failing to fulfill this rule can result in hefty fines and increase the chances of the pet being taken away from you by the local authorities.
If your pet gets lost, vaccination and licensing certificates are proof of your pet’s ownership. You can check with their police department or contact local animal protection services for the details. Besides showing proof of ownership, you might even have to pay a fine. However, if you are living in a rural area, the licensing criteria might not apply to you. Still, it is necessary to keep your pets vaccinated and taken care of.
Dangerous Dog Laws
A dog that shows aggressive behavior and acts in a hostile manner is termed a dangerous dog. Barking, chasing down strangers, biting, and attacking are all signs that need to be addressed as soon as possible if you are a dog parent. Furthermore, it is crucial to research and understand why a dog might become aggressive before you adopt a dog so that you are able to resolve any apparent issues and achieve the best possible outcomes early on. If you have an aggressive dog, there are chances of facing a lawsuit. When facing issues like these, it is best to contact an attorney to understand the extent of the situation and move in the right direction to get results.
Hoarding Laws
There are a limited number of pets you can keep, especially in urban areas. Having more than 15 pets is considered hoarding. You should always check with your local authorities as each place has its own hoarding laws, some cities allow keeping more than 15 pets if you can provide the necessary care and space. These hoarding laws can have drastic consequences and breaking them can be considered a felony by your government.
Animal Shelter Laws
Shelters have the responsibility of conducting a safety check before handing over an animal for adoption. They can even visit to check on the dog’s health, your lifestyle, and your occupation to see whether you can properly take care of the pet or not. You have to sign a contract and comply with specific agreement terms before adopting a dog for example.
Food Laws
There are several laws surrounding pet food. These laws ensure the dog is fed hygienic, free from chemicals, and nutritious food. Therefore, it is your responsibility to feed your dog healthy food for the best growth and development. You must also understand the appropriate portion size for your breed to prevent them from being over or underweight.
Pet Noise Laws
These laws are mostly applicable in crowded residential areas and cities. Barking of a dog for too long can be considered a nuisance and there are chances of facing a fine or getting sued. Furthermore, there are also laws to clean up after your dog as it can result in a fine. Ignoring to dispose of doggy bags or not using trash cans can also lead to a fine.
Restraint Laws
It is essential to restrain dogs humanely. The dog can be tethered to a leash, restrained in enclosures, and even indoors. However, it is essential to keep the pet comfortable and safe. Not following these rules can lead to you facing lawsuits or action by authorities. Some state and city laws consider the ability of a dog parent to restrain their pet using voice commands. These officials can even request a demonstration if they feel you are unable to restrain the dog.
Dog Leash laws
When taking your furry playmate out for a walk, always secure a leash as most cities require you to follow and restrain the dog in public areas. While some parks allow pets to roam leash-free, it is necessary to leash your pooch when getting in and out of the activity area. If you don’t have an idea of leash rules, consider checking in with the local authorities for more information.
By following the above-mentioned laws and regulations, it becomes easier for a dog parent to comply with the issues. As there are varying laws for each state, consider conducting a review and getting to know the local laws to get the best results. After all, these laws improve the quality of your dog’s life.
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