Overview
- A YouGov survey for the charities found 96% of owners consider themselves responsible, while 86% of the wider public report issues with irresponsible ownership.
- The most common problems cited were uncollected dog waste, dogs jumping up on people without permission, and pets off-lead in restricted areas.
- A quarter of those who witnessed poor behavior said owners ignored dogs acting aggressively, and 40% of owners worry about other people’s dogs.
- The UK dog population is at a record high of at least 13 million as NHS data show dog-related injuries are rising, with serious attacks continuing to be reported.
- The charities have published a Responsible Dog Ownership framework and opened a public consultation to shape clear standards for communities and local authorities.