Ministers reject dog ownership licence scheme

Pet owners will not have to pay a fee to own a dog, after the government ruled out introducing a licensing scheme.

In a report, published on Thursday, , external a panel of animal experts suggested the government should consider new legal requirements for dog owners.

The panel did not reach an agreement on which rules should be adopted but the taskforce said any new laws should aim to promote better dog control, reduce the risk of dog attacks and avoid placing an "undue burden" on owners.

A spokesperson for the environment department said: "This is a welcome report and ministers are considering the taskforce's recommendations, however we will not be introducing a new dog licensing scheme."

The Dog Control Coalition - which includes the RSPCA, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and the Royal Kennel Club - said it supported the recommendations in the report and that it was "vital" for the government to take action "as a matter of urgency".

A spokesperson for the coalition said: "Dog bite incidents continue to have serious consequences for people and dogs, and the time that has passed since the publication of The Middlesex Report, in 2021, makes it imperative that we now see progress."

The report made 20 recommendations including calling for councils to provide a service to tackle low-level dog control issues, improved recording of dog bite wounds and legal requirements for dog walkers.

The Responsible Dog Ownership Taskforce was established by the government in 2022, following a series of high-profile dog attacks.