Petition · past parliament

People who are walking their dogs in severe heat to be fined.

Rejected 11 signatures

What the petition asks

I would like people who are walking their dogs in severe heat to be fined due to the suffering of dogs being in the heat while owners are walking around in summer clothes.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

Decisions about investigating alleged animal welfare offences and prosecuting these are a matter for the police and Crown Prosecution Service, not the Government or House of Commons.

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 already makes it an offence if a person causes, by act or omission, an animal to suffer. This would cover suffering caused by taking a dog for a walk, or leaving a dog in a car, in excessive heat. Fines can be issued for these types of offences, as well as prison sentences.

The Government's code of practice for the welfare of dogs, which provides owners and keepers with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their animals, and can be used in courts as evidence in cases brought before them relating to poor welfare, specifically highlights the risks of heat stress: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/697953/pb13333-cop-dogs-091204.pdf

If you're concerned about a specific incident, you may wish to report it directly to the RSPCA: https://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/contactus/reportcruelty

Timeline

12 Aug 2022 Petition opened for signatures
15 Aug 2022 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 11
Status Rejected
Rejected 15 Aug 2022

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.