Is it a legal requirement to muzzle a dog?
Banned Breeds That Must Be Muzzled.
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 bans four breeds in the UK - Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and Fila Brasileiros. Dogs that are suspected to be one of these breeds must be muzzled and kept on a lead in public, even if they are well-trained and non-aggressive.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 it is a criminal offence to allow a pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa or any dog designated by the Secretary of State as being a dog bred for fighting, to be in a public place without being muzzled and kept on a lead by someone who is 16 years old or above.
A 'lead' assumes that there is a 'leader' holding it (ideally, holding the handle end!). A 'leash' denotes just a tether or a tie-out, a way to limit range but doesn't infer that the human is in control. Trainers and those who show their dogs usually use the term 'lead', but we use them interchangeably.
15.11.2020