Petition · past parliament · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Make it a specific criminal offence for a dog to attack another dog
Closed
834 signatures
What the petition asks
I want it to be a specific crime rather than a matter of whether this comes under existing dangerous dogs legislation, or is a civil matter, if a dog with an owner attacks another dog. There should penalties for the owner, and action taken in respect of the dog involved, where an offence occurs.
There are too many cases of owners failing to prevent their dogs from attacking other dogs, which can lead to costly veterinary bills, and stress and anxiety for both dogs and owners.
At present it is not a specific criminal offence to allow a dog to attack another dog, and all too often the victims have to pursue these incidents through civil action. Making dog on dog attacks a specific criminal offence would mean that police and courts would be better empowered to take action in the event of dog on dog attacks.
At present it is not a specific criminal offence to allow a dog to attack another dog, and all too often the victims have to pursue these incidents through civil action. Making dog on dog attacks a specific criminal offence would mean that police and courts would be better empowered to take action in the event of dog on dog attacks.
Timeline
| 14 Oct 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 14 Apr 2022 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
834
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened
14 Oct 2021
Closed
14 Apr 2022
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.