This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Rejected petition Fine dog owners taking their dogs for walks during high temperatures
Owners will continue to expose their dogs to walks in high temperatures unless a fining system is put in place to stop it.
More details
Dogs are continually put at risk during the summer months when temperatures exceed 20 degrees. Not only are owners exposing them to burnt paws but also to the risk of heat stroke.
Dogs should only be walked in the early morning or early evening when temperatures are cooler
This petition was rejected
Why was this petition rejected?
It’s about something that the UK Government or Parliament is not directly responsible for.
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 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
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.