Legal Responsibility of Being in Charge of a Dog
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Dec 1, 2025
- 7 min read
Professional Dog Walking and the Legal Responsibility of Being in Charge of a Dog (UK Law – December 2025)
Professional dog walking is a legal position of control, not a casual service.
From the moment a dog is handed into your care, UK law recognises you as the person legally responsible for that dog’s behaviour, safety, and impact on the public. "I did not know" is not a valid excuse.
A statement I often hear is "but it is not my dog, so the owners are responsible!" This is not true, once you set out that door with a dog, you are legally responsible!
I have written this blog so it sets out current UK law as of December 2025, including banned breeds, handler responsibility, and mandatory insurance considerations for professional dog walkers.
Being “In Charge of a Dog” in UK Law
UK legislation consistently refers to “the person in charge” rather than the owner.
✔ Holding the lead
✔ Supervising an off-lead dog
✔ Transporting a dog
✔ Managing a dog during a walk, visit, or session
All place you legally in charge.
This means you are responsible for:
✔ The dog’s behaviour
✔ Any injury or damage caused
✔ Any fear or distress caused to others
✔ Maintaining effective control at all times
Payment increases responsibility, it does not reduce it.
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (Amended 2014)
This remains the most critical legislation for professional dog walkers.
Dangerously Out of Control
A dog is classed as dangerously out of control if:
✔ It injures a person
✔ It attempts to injure a person
✔ A person reasonably believes they may be injured
A bite is not required. Fear alone is sufficient.
Examples include:
✔ Lunging
✔ Snapping
✔ Charging
✔ Aggressive or threatening behaviour
Where the Law Applies
The Act applies in:
✔ Public places
✔ Private property
✔ Client homes and gardens
✔ Communal areas
✔ Vehicles
Since the 2014 amendment, private property is fully covered.
Who Is Legally Responsible
If an incident occurs:
✖ “It’s not my dog” is not a defence
✖ “The owner said they were fine” is not a defence
✖ “They’ve never done this before” is not a defence
The person in charge at the time is legally accountable.
Penalties
Depending on severity:
✖ Unlimited fines
✖ Prison sentences (up to 14 years if a fatality occurs)
✖ Control orders
✖ Destruction orders
✖ Lifetime bans on dog ownership or handling
Professionals are often judged more harshly due to foreseeable risk.
Banned Breeds in the UK (December 2025)
It is illegal in the UK to own, walk, breed, sell, rehome, or advertise the following dogs unless exempted by court order:
✖ Pit Bull Terrier
✖ Japanese Tosa
✖ Dogo Argentino
✖ Fila Brasileiro
✖ XL Bully type dogs
The XL Bully Ban
As of 2024, and fully enforced by December 2025, XL Bully type dogs are prohibited under UK law.
This includes:
✔ Dogs that meet physical “type” characteristics
✔ Dogs without pedigree paperwork
✔ Crossbreeds and rescues that fit the XL Bully type
The ban applies regardless of temperament or history.
Exempt XL Bullies
Some XL Bully dogs may be legally kept only if exempted and compliant with strict conditions, including:
✔ Court-issued Certificate of Exemption
✔ Mandatory muzzling in public
✔ Being kept on a lead
✔ Neutering
✔ Secure containment
✔ Public liability insurance
For professional dog walkers:
✖ You should not accept exempt XL Bullies without seeing valid documentation
✖ Many insurers will not cover handling them
✖ Failure to comply invalidates insurance instantly
“Of Type” Is What Matters
UK law focuses on physical type, not breed labels.
This means:
✖ A dog does not need to be called an XL Bully
✖ A rescue label does not protect you
✖ Owner belief does not override law
Professional dog walkers must protect themselves by refusing dogs that may fall under banned types.
Dogs Act 1871
This legislation allows action even without a bite.
Courts may intervene if:
✔ A dog causes fear
✔ A dog is repeatedly reported
✔ A dog is deemed dangerous
Orders may include:
✔ Lead restrictions
✔ Muzzling
✔ Behaviour controls
✔ Removal from professional care
Repeated complaints can implicate the handler, not just the owner.
Road Traffic Act 1988
Dog walkers are legally responsible for preventing dogs from:
✖ Escaping near roads
✖ Causing traffic accidents
✖ Distracting drivers or cyclists
If a dog causes a collision while under your supervision:
✖ You may face criminal and civil liability
Control of Dogs Order 1992
Dogs in public must wear a collar displaying:
✔ Owner’s name
✔ Owner’s address
Important:
✔ Microchipping is compulsory but does not replace collar ID
✔ Responsibility lies with the handler
Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018
Dog walking alone is not licensed, but you may require a licence if you:
✖ Provide daycare-style services
✖ Keep dogs for extended periods
✖ Combine walking with sitting or boarding
Local authorities determine enforcement.
Insurance Requirements for Professional Dog Walkers
Operating without correct insurance is professionally negligent.
Essential Insurance
✔ Public Liability Insurance Minimum recommended cover: £5 million
✔ Care, Custody & Control Insurance Covers injury, illness, or death of dogs in your care
✔ Professional Indemnity Insurance Covers negligence and professional judgement claims
✔ Employers’ Liability Insurance Legally required if you employ staff or volunteers
Common Insurance Exclusions
Most policies will not cover:
✖ Banned breeds (including XL Bully types)
✖ Dogs with undisclosed bite history
✖ Negligent handling
✖ Unsafe group sizes
✖ Poor transport practices
This makes assessments, contracts, and refusal policies legally critical.
Why Professional Dog Walkers Are Held to a Higher Standard
Once payment is accepted, you are held to professional expectations.
You are expected to:
✔ Understand canine behaviour
✔ Anticipate risk
✔ Manage environments effectively
✔ Use appropriate equipment
✔ Refuse unsuitable dogs
Failing to do so may be considered professional negligence.
Group Walks and Legal Risk
Group walks increase liability.
You are responsible for:
✔ Every dog
✔ Every interaction
✔ Every recall decision
✔ Every environmental choice
If one dog injures another:
✖ You may be legally liable
✖ Insurance may refuse claims
Professional walking is about control and management, not numbers.
Is a 14, 16, or 18 Year Old Classed as “In Charge” of a Dog in the UK?
UK law does not define “the person in charge” by age alone.It defines it by who has control of the dog at the time.
However, age directly affects liability, prosecution, and expectations.
14-Year-Old With a Dog
✔ A 14-year-old can be considered physically “in charge” of a dog
✖ A 14-year-old is not usually the legally liable party
What This Means in Practice
The dog is still legally under the responsibility of:
✔ The owner
✔ The parent or guardian
If an incident occurs:
✖ Responsibility will almost always fall to the adult owner/guardian
Courts recognise that a child:
✖ May not have the strength
✖ May not have the judgement
✖ May not have the legal capacity to manage risk
That is why:
✖ Allowing a child to walk a powerful or reactive dog can itself be viewed as negligence by the adult.
16-Year-Old With a Dog
✔ A 16-year-old can be classed as the person in charge
✔ A 16-year-old can carry responsibility for control
✖ Liability may still be shared with the owner, depending on circumstances
Key Legal Reality
At 16:
Courts may assess:
✔ Size and strength of the dog
✔ Environment
✔ Behaviour history
✔ Whether it was reasonable to place the dog in their control
If a dog is deemed beyond their reasonable control, responsibility may revert to:
✔ The owner
✔ The supervising adult
This is why insurers and professionals are cautious about dogs walked by under-18s.
18-Year-Old With a Dog
✔ An 18-year-old is fully classed as the person in charge
✔ An 18-year-old is legally responsible in their own right
✔ They can be prosecuted, fined, or banned independently
At 18:
There is no age-based mitigation
The law treats them as any other adult handler
Dangerous Dogs Act: Age Does Not Remove Responsibility
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act:
✔ A dog can be dangerously out of control regardless of who holds the lead
✔ The court will decide who was reasonably responsible at the time
But:
✖ Allowing a child to control a dog they cannot physically manage can itself be evidence of negligence by the owner.
What This Means for Professional Dog Walkers and Trainers
Professionally, this matters because:
✖ Children walking dogs does not remove adult liability
✖ “The child was holding the lead” is not a defence
✖ Handing control to a minor can increase legal risk
Best practice:
✔ Dogs should be walked by adults capable of physical control
✔ Powerful, reactive, or large breeds should never be placed with minors
✔ Contracts should state who is legally responsible at all times
Clear Summary
✔ 14-year-old
Can hold the lead
Not usually legally liable
Responsibility sits with owner/guardian
✔ 16-year-old
May be classed as in charge
Liability may be shared or assessed
Control and reasonableness matter
✔ 18-year-old
Fully legally responsible
Treated as any adult handler
The Legal Bottom Line
The law does not ask:
✖ “How old are you?”
It asks:
✔ “Were you capable of controlling the dog safely in that situation?”
And if the answer is no, responsibility travels straight back to the adult who allowed it.
Final Word: Professional Dog Walking Is a Legal Role
Holding a lead means holding legal responsibility.
✔ You are the person in charge
✔ You must know current UK law
✔ You must be insured correctly
✔ You must refuse unsafe or illegal situations
✔ You must protect dogs, the public, and your business
Professional dog walking is not just about loving dogs. It is about law, responsibility, and risk management, carried out with skill and integrity.
About Tori Lynn C. & The Dog House
Welcome to The Dog House — my cosy corner of the TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub. I’m Tori Lynn C., the founder of TLC Dog Walking Limited, mentor to professional dog walkers, and lifelong advocate for dogs and the people who care for them. With over 17 years of hands-on experience in the industry, my mission is to guide you through the realities of running a successful, sustainable dog walking business — from client care and safety to wellbeing, confidence, and professional growth.
The Dog House is where I share the honest, behind-the-scenes conversations we all need: the tricky moments, the funny bits, the business lessons, and the mindset work that keeps us thriving rather than merely surviving. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, you’ll always find support, guidance, and a friendly nudge forward here.
You’re never alone in this journey — you’re part of a community of canine crusaders.
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