Should You Need a License to Own a Dog?

I don't think we should need a licence but I do think more checks should be in place for pet owners as far too many animals are mistreated and neglected. I myself am a huge animal lover I have a dog, cats, birds, rats, turtle and fish as luckily they are very loved and well looked after but far to many slip the net and have an awful life. X

No I don't think a license is needed but I think all pets should be chipped and registered but that's what should happen as a owner

Yes, I think we should go back to having dog licences. I believe it would help to make people more responsible for their dogs and would also help with prosecuting people who have dangerous dogs that kill or maim others, as all dog details will be kept centrally. If no licence is held then they would have immediate powers to impound the dog and put it down.

Yes, I think we should. Although many pets owners are responsible there are so many incidents were dangerous dogs attack other animals and humans. Having a licence would mean checks on breeds and owners could be carried out far easier and allow the authorities to remove dangerous dogs so they are no longer a threat to the public or other dogs.

Yes dog licences are a good thing. In terms of dogs being dumped, or abused.

The dog licence was abolished because of the cost of the administration was so high compared to the results of having such thing brought in. Someone having a dog licence wouldn't make them any more responsible than a driving licence makes drivers drive with due care or being responsible.

If we're gonna go with "You need a license to own a dog." then it won't take too long until it also comes to "You need a license to have kids."

I'm surprised China doesn't have a license of "You need a license to have a child." which technically they do (or did with the 2 children per family?).

Can't understand why they were ever abolished!

I consider the now compulsory microchipping of all dogs over the age of eight weeks to be much better than the old "Dog Licence" ever was.

It might now be worth considering it being compulsory for dog owners needing to pass some test to show they're fit to own a dog.

Would this not encourage more bad breeding, backyard breeding making it easier for those not going through the system to obtain a dog illegally?

A license is all well and good but if someone did happen to own a dog without a license and it needed medical care, they would less likely seek it, leading to more suffering.

There should be tighter rules on some animals, often if a person from (RSPCA as an example) were to be contacted they will often ask if the animal has food, water and shelter, which is usually enough for them to turn down a call or to have an inspection. So I've heard many times, can't say I've had to report anyone thankfully, but I know when some ducks were stuck it was a pain to get hold of them!

We also need to stop selling inappropriate housing, toys and food for all animals and stop selling pets in pet stores. If they do sell them, they should have in-depth training of up to date information regularly. Disgusting what I've heard and seen sold for some animals - sorry getting off topic now.

Most of the time the dogs behaviour is how it has been brought up or the environment or lack of, it isn't usually the dogs fault. Although I know some dogs can snap more than others, but that is when we need to be responsible and put time into training and socialising and don't just expect an animal to be how you want them to be.

The 'cute' small handbag dogs, people treat like babies and are stubborn by nature, so that doesn't help. It isn't always the big dogs. Yes my pets are my babies BUT you need to treat them like an animal too.

Maybe the owners need to go to training not just dogs

I think more education needs to go into ownership before any animal goes to a home, more checks in place. But I'm not sure if a license is what we need.

Yep, a license for all dog owners and a compulsory DNA profile taken at the owners cost. Then if any dog sh*t is found on the street, it can be tracked back to the owners who can be fined.

Anyone caught not doing it, fine them too

Yes I agree with it in principle but enforcement costs a lot of money as well as administration so it has to be a fairly high cost license especially if its a one off charge. It definitely needs a training element to it and those with a violent criminal record or some mental illnesses related to violence should be denied a license. They should have to prove that their accommodation allows dogs if rented.

The most important thing is to acquire a dog both the buyer and the seller or rescue home must have dog licenses and the transaction has to be recorded online which should be a simple process. There should be an online database so anyone can see which homes have dogs and how many but should not include any more personal details than that so neighbours can easily check if their dog owning neighbours are legal.

It's such a huge responsibility to own a dog and frankly many aren't capable of it especially larger dogs with the capacity to attack other dogs and people. I sort of feel the dog license should be graded so that dogs are given different levels and so the license fee would vary depending on the type of dog. Larger dogs would need more training and a more expensive license typically. Also all adults in a home with a dog would need a license. This could be awkward for some who change partners regularly but I still feel its important. Maybe a grace period of 3 months before they would need a license.

Ultimately the real benefit is preventing illegal puppy farms and the ability to take licenses away. Also if banned from owning a dog for two years lets say after the two years they would have to apply again and pay the license fee so for those who have minor offences against animals they would constantly be paying for a new license. It motivates such people not to have dogs.

I also feel some of the license money collected should be carefully distributed to animal shelters in order to give them more resources. As they will be involved in the process of dealing with dogs that have had to be taken away from their owners who are unlicensed or have committed animal welfare offences.

A Dog licence used to be 7 shillings and sixpence back in the day . However it was just a piece of paper you bought at the Post Office with no checks or requirements involved - so basically a total waste of time .

To make it viable constant checks on the owners home , dog chipping and vaccination would be required and probably criminal record checks too ? Not to mention breed verification .

A good idea in theory but enforcement would cost a fortune and still not be 100% . To be self funding would probably cost owners over £1000 a year which would be unaffordable for many responsible owners (added to vets bills and dog food ) . Obviously the irresponsible low life would not bother (as in car tax, insurance and MOT) , so a great idea but totally impractical .

I mean it's a good idea if not a licence some other record we already have alot in place such as dogs having to be chipped and registered to a person and a place. I think their needs to be an easy accessed banned list for animal sellers or rehomers