This includes taking them for walks on the public roads or on beaches. This is for the safety of all other members of the public as well as for the animals.

Failure to keep a dog on a lead in a public place is an offense under the Animals Law (2015 Revision) and a person contravening the Law is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500 and 3 months in prison. A person with a dog off lead in a public place also runs the risk of being considered to having a dog dangerously out of control where there is a reasonable apprehension that the dog may injure any person or domestic animal, whether it does so or not. A person convicted of such an offense is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $ 4,000 and 6 months in prison.

Persons in charge of a dog in a public place are also reminded of their responsibility to clean up after their animals. Failure to remove the faeces forthwith is an offense and is liable on conviction to a fine of $ 2,000.

The DOA and the RCIPS want to encourage responsible animal ownership and encourage anyone who have questions regarding animal ownership