Petition · Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Make it an offence to allow off-lead dogs to approach dogs on leads
Open for signatures
94 signatures
What the petition asks
Make it an offence to allow off-lead dogs to approach dogs on leads without permission. Dogs may be on leads because they are nervous, reactive, elderly, injured, in training or assistance dogs. Unwanted approaches can cause stress, injury, training setbacks and dog fights.
Many dog owners have experienced off-lead dogs running over without invitation, including dogs that are aggressive, poorly controlled or have no recall. These situations can cause fear, injury, conflict and training setbacks. Owners whose dogs have previously been attacked or frightened may also feel anxious when unfamiliar dogs approach. This change could promote responsible ownership and help prevent avoidable incidents.
Timeline
| 1 Jul 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
94
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Opened
1 Jul 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.