Petition · past parliament
Clarify laws regarding dog ownership, with particular focus on the needs of dogs
Rejected
10 signatures
What the petition asks
Having lived next door to neglected & abused dogs, heard the cries of despair from tethered dogs & puppies left in a shed in the snow, I want some action taken.Despite contacting various agencies, this neglect is not deemed illegal.This has to change. Domestic animals’ basic needs MUST be mandatory.
I want DEFRA’s Code of Practice for Welfare of Dogs to be put into law. As part of Section 9, Animal Welfare Act 2006, DEFRA clearly states the 5 basic needs of a dog.
1. A suitable environment
2. A suitable diet
3. The need to be housed with or apart from other animals (including humans)
4. The need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
5. The need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury & disease.
Sadly, as these are not “law” but recommendations, many dogs are suffering.
1. A suitable environment
2. A suitable diet
3. The need to be housed with or apart from other animals (including humans)
4. The need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
5. The need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury & disease.
Sadly, as these are not “law” but recommendations, many dogs are suffering.
Why it was rejected
It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.
Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.
We understand that you are concerned about the welfare of dogs, but we're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do.
The Animal Welfare Act already includes requirements for people who are responsible for an animal to meet its needs, including:
(a) its need for a suitable environment,
(b) its need for a suitable diet,
(c) its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns,
(d) any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals, and
(e) its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
If there are additional requirements you want to be added to this, you could start a new petition explaining clearly what additions you would like.
We have published the following petitions, which you might like to sign:
Compulsory home checks and abusers database to protect animals: Compulsory home checks and abusers database to protect animals
Introduce Dog Licensing and Registration: Introduce Dog Licensing and Registration
We understand that you are concerned about the welfare of dogs, but we're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do.
The Animal Welfare Act already includes requirements for people who are responsible for an animal to meet its needs, including:
(a) its need for a suitable environment,
(b) its need for a suitable diet,
(c) its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns,
(d) any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals, and
(e) its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
If there are additional requirements you want to be added to this, you could start a new petition explaining clearly what additions you would like.
We have published the following petitions, which you might like to sign:
Compulsory home checks and abusers database to protect animals: Compulsory home checks and abusers database to protect animals
Introduce Dog Licensing and Registration: Introduce Dog Licensing and Registration
Timeline
| 18 Feb 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 12 Mar 2021 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
10
Status
Rejected
Rejected
12 Mar 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.