My suggestion is to put your postcode followed by a slash, then the house number. Of course it can be looked up, but it is an extra hurdle for people with criminal intent to overcome. I am sure it would satisfy any legal requirement to show the dog's address. After all, letters addressed with nothing but postcode/number get delivered.
RC
(And it takes up far less space!)

Actually, this does not satisfy the legal requirement to have your name and full address on the dog's tag. Not what you want to hear, I know, but it is the law.

That's ludicrous!! Our full address doesn't fit on a dogtag!!!!! We got tags done with one of those machines - you get three lines and you type in what you want on it etc etc.
We had our house number and postcode engraved on it, that was the only way we could get our name onto it!

Annette

I'll stick to mine and my vets phone no's I know it doesn't meet legal requirements but then again I have never heard of anyone prosecuted for it so I guess I'll remain an outlaw :D

I don't have an address on my dog's tags, just a phone number for me & the vet together with the dog's name. Ok I know they say you shouldn't put the name on the tag but I figure that if something happens and some genuine finds them it may help, if someone is intent on keeping the dog it won't make a difference anyway. I have spoken to a dog warden and they are quite happy to have just this on the tag, at least they have a chance of finding the owner. Ingrid

I am an outlaw too, only phone numbers on my dogs tags, they are chipped aswell though. :D

:O I'm even more of an outlaw...what collars?? They are all chipped, but I know that doesn't make up for it

Perhaps we should contact our local MP's about this and try to get the law changed. I believe that the law that the address had to be on the tag was before most people had 'phones and when it was not quite so stupid to advertise your address when you were out.

There are enough of us around the country I would think to cover most MP's - *IF* we actually got off our b*tts and did it.

Christine

Has anyone actually been prosecuted for not having the correct details on their tags?

Helen

Don't know - but if your dog doesn't have a correct one on at our training class, then you don't pass your Good Citizen Award :) :) (You can always take it off when you get home :) )

Daisy

I seem to have missed the beginning of the post but could someone clarify for me. Is it the law that a dog must have a collar on when he is outside for walks or at all times. I didn`t plan to have a collar for my pup as I intended to train him using a harness. I thought that identichipping would cover the problem if the dog is lost or is this not the case?

Liz

Control of Dogs Order 1992 - Collars

Every dog whilst on a highway or in a public place shall wear a collar with the owners name & address inscribed on the collar in some way.

Exceptions:
a) any pack of hounds.
b) any dog while being used for sporting purposes.
c) any dog while being used for the capture or destruction of vermin.
d) any dog while being used for the driving or tending of cattle or sheep.
e) any dog while being used on official duties by a member of:
Her Majesty's Armed Forces,
Her Majesty's Customs and Excise,
The Police Force for any area.
f) any dog while being used in emergency rescue work, or
g) any dog registered with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

The owner of the dog and any person in charge of a dog that contravenes the above will be guilty of an offence. Dogs not wearing a collar may be seized as a stray, although this order will be executed by officers of the local authority such as a 'Dog Warden' and not the Police?
Control of Dogs Order 1992

NB:Failure to comply could result in prosecution and result in a fine up to £2,000

The Alexandra Park thread makes mefeel quite nervous to have pups address on his tag though .
:(
Lel

Yup. Unfortunately, the world has changed quite a bit in only 10 years, and not for the better when it comes to personal safety.

I did not know it was a requirement to put name and address, I just have telephone number and the name of the dog. Telephone number would be enough for the police to find the address of the owner.

Stacey

This is just an idea and I know if the dog was found it does not guarentee the return.
But it would solve the problem of people fussing your dog and getting a quick glance at the address.
Does anyone remember those tags that screwed together and you put your details on a piece of paper rolled up inside???
Well you would satisfy the legal requirement of your contact details but it would be impossible for potential theives whilst "fussing" dogs in the park to get a glimpse of the details. I mean before they had chance to unscrew the holder you would be on your way and no details seen.
Just a thought :-)

I used to use those "screw/cylinder" type of name tag, but found that they wouldn't stay done up, and the dogs would come back from a run with only the top half still attached to the collar - the bottom half with the details was somewhere in the wood! Gave up on them!

Tip: to secure this type of cylinder, you can use Thread-Lock or Nut-Lock available from car shops. It will stop them coming undone by themselves, but allow them to be unscrewed if the need should arise. DO NOT USE GLUE!

Cool. Hopefully problem solved, was not sure if you could still get them :-) Looks like there may be a boom in sales now!!!
Watch those share prices :D

The advantage, of course, of the cylinder ones with the paper, is that it's a cinch changing the address when you go on holiday or stay at Mum's for the weekend.

I just bought one of those little cylindrical tags for Oscar on a pet stall at our local market (79p) I feel a bit stupid asking but how do they actually (chip) dogs and how does it work??
Sandy :)xx

Your vet will be able to microchip your dog. He inserts a small chip under the skin on your dogs neck area. That way if the dog is found he can be scanned and your details are held on the microchip. Clever ehh!!! :-)

Thats a very clever idea :) Our present day doggy's ancestors would be turning in their heavenly kennels if they knew about all this modern day stuff!!! lol :D
Sandyxx

Well, that notice (from Admin) seems clear enough.

Don't forget that, legally, your car is a "public place" (remember Otis?) so dogs should also wear a collar and tag when travelling.

From reading this thread I seem to be the only person who's dogs do not wear collars and tags!!!!!!!!

I know I'm breaking the law but they are microchipped.

All my dogs used to wear collars until 2 of my 6 month old pups were running along side each other and playing and the collars got caught up and the bitch was basically strangled. She spent 4 days hospitalised being treated for lung haemorrages (sp) and a damaged trachea (sp).
After this I contacted the company that made the collars and the design was changed but my dogs will never wear collars again.
I use slip leads.

I have my hands up! My dogs do not wear collars when out, They are tatooed.
I have had too many problems with collars one incident was my male dog went for a swim and got a VERY VERY large branch caught under his collar whilst in deep water, Luckily he is my strongest swimmer and only just managed to swim bad to safety . So no more collars when out.

Identichipping/tattooing doesn't always cover the actual problem (ie you getting your dog back) of losing your dog.

We have found several dogs not wearing a collar and have called the dog warden who has come along to scan them for us. One dog did have a chip and we got in touch with the registration place who had to contact the owner to get them to contact us (data protection and all that...). This took most of the day as the owners had moved house and took a bit of tracking down.

It was very inconvenient and meant that we couldn't leave the house all day waiting for the identichip people to call back. Despite that we would and have done it again. But would everyone else? What about the people who don't own dogs, would they even know that dogs can be chipped?

I heard recently of someone who found a nice dog without a collar - they looked in the local shop for a lost notice but there was none. So they kept the dog. They didn't go to any trouble at all to find an owner but would have returned it if it had a tag. In reality this could happen to any dog wearing a collar too if someone wanted to keep it.

My dogs are chipped, tattooed and wear a tag while out of the house/garden (they are not allowed in the garden unobserved). My tag is not "legal" as my name is not on there but my address and phone numbers are. I'd prefer someone to phone me up immediately rather than have the dog passed around police, kennels, dog wardens, etc, waiting to be scanned.

I think all dogs should wear a tag with their owners telephone number on if no other details at all. And chipping/tattoos are an extra back up in case the tag gets lost.

Just my opinion - don't shout at me!!

I've gone down the belt-and-braces route as well....mine are tattooed, chipped, and have collars with identity discs for when they're out of my garden. I don't think I could bear to lose them....

Many rescue centres don't bother to scan them, (even if they have scanners) and one kennel owner was reported in the paper recently saying that they don't check for tattoos because "only greyhounds are tattooed" (his words).

Hi Amanda, Snap I do exactly the same. Collar with my phone and address, (yes I know a thief could pet my dog and find out where I live), and they have chips and tattoos.

When I have found a stray dog I get rather cross when there is no address, and I have to take the dog home, where I may have puppies that I don't want exposed to a strange dogs germs, or it may not be dog freindly in my house. If it has an address I have walked the dog straight home. Sometimes when I have got home the phone number is invalid, and the dog warden is finished for the day. I am then left with a long walk to the nearest Police Station that takes dogs.

I have been guilty on more than one occasion of ignoring the stray dog and hoping it finds it's way home unaided due to the hassle, especially if it is evening or a weekend.

Sorry to disagree but Fry passed her good citizen and we refuse to put our address on any of the tags our 3 wear. We have, home tel number and postcode on one side and vet tel number on the other. We deliberated over this for a few weeks but as far as we were concerned the 2 issues bothering us were
a. Somebody knowing where the 3 dogs lived (we are all aware stealing to order is on the increase.
b. Advising not only were we out on a nice long walk but also the address where a house is potentially empty.
So we went with what we felt was best for us................
and yes i know what your all thinking - how the hell did they pass their good citizen with that kitchen eating, chocolate lab :D Who knows - maybe she was having a bad day.

Hi Daisy

we are doing good citizen award course soon...so what does
tag need to say?
Ours has "I belong to Louise & Mark" and our tel Number, plus
he has petsafe tag...

would this pass?

Not Daisy, but I can answer your question...

Louise, if you are being tested correctly for Good Citizen, then no, your tag will not be accepted and you will fail. The tag must have your surname and full address (ie postcode/house number only is not sufficient). It is a good idea to put a phone number also, although this is not "required information".

However, if you are lucky, as Lisa was, then tags may be overlooked. I was not so lucky. My "pass" was with-held until I had a new tag made. :(

Best wishes, Monty's Mum

I think it very much depends on your examiner - I've stewarded at GC exams where postcode and house number were considered sufficient (the local dog warden regards them as enough). Although if you're worried, you could get the full version made for the test, and replace it with the ordinary postcode one when you're done.......

Just as I said, you will get away with it if you have luck on your side. However, my examiner *was* the local dog warden and it was her that was insisting we all conform to the legal requirements before getting our passes. :(

You pays yer money and takes yer choice! :) I can only advise based upon my own knowledge and experiences, its up to you to decide whether or not to ignore it. :) And for every one person who is made to do things a certain way, there will be another who gets away with the exact opposite, which can be very frustrating. That's life!

Kerioak

How about if one of us here on champdogs did a draft letter then emailed it to everybody who is willing to post it on to their MP, Like you said their is enough of us on here maybe if we did get our b**ts of the round we could make a difference.
Does anyone else think this is a good idea? I for one would be happy to write to my local MP and I could probably get more to do it aswell.
However I am sorry I'm not volunteering to do the initial letter as i'm not very good at letter writing and using all them clever words.

Alison

Edited this is in reply to Keriok post further up the thread
P.S nicolla you're not on your own bob wears a collar but no name and address, just the little tag the vet gave me when he got chipped saying (microchipped with animal tracer coder please scan me)

I think its a good idea if we write to our MP's and try to get the law changed - Im not happy with having to display my address given all that has been happening. I would feel a lot safer if it only had my telephone number on the tag. The majority of people now own mobiles so you wouldn't even have to put your home telephone number on the tag.

Hi
I wont put my dogs name on his collar becasuse if he is stolen/lost it makes it easier for someone to build a relationship with him.
JMHO.Archer

But isnt it horriblewhen we have to think like this ?
Lel

Hello everyone
There are name tags on the market that can conceal information,but what is the society coming to when you have to go down this road?.

When i ordered my tag from the vet recently, i was told that most people put only their name and phone number and the vets number on the tag. That is what i put, although Harvey is micro chipped, i would certainly not feel happy putting my address on his tag. My huaband is a police sergeant and he thought that tags had to have a contct number, he pointed out that in this day and age many people feel uncomfortable displaying their address and feels as long as people can be contacted in some way, he would certainly not be happy prosecuting them. He is going to check out what the policy is on this matter.

I read this thread earlier so i rang the police and asked, i was told that microchipping does not stand in the eyes of the law for a dog.The tag still has to be on the dog in plain sight with name ( of owner ) full address and phone number.The tag should be worn at all times incuding when the dog is in the car it is still classed as a public place.
Not my rules don't bite my head off.

Deary

I work as a strategic planner for both the police and local government, and I have to say that the idea of an authority going to all the trouble and expense of prosecuting someone for not including their full name/address on a dog collar is laughable. This law would only ever be invoked in the unlikely but conceivable event that a dog seriously injured or killed someone. If this occurred the owner would for obvious reasons have the book thrown at them.

Good idea about the letter. Better still, ask your local ward councillor to petition your MP on your behalf - the May elections are fast approaching so politicians the country over would welcome the opportunity to undertake a bit of PR.

Jo

for those who choose to go without collars for safety reasons, there is another side to the coin....ages ago I fell in the park, and my dog panicked and ran off. It was a big park. I thought i may never see her again..... she was captured by a passer by, only possible by grabbing the collar! cat collars are made so that they break if a big stress is put on them, e.g. catching on a stick. Does anyone know if you can get dog collars like this?
I use a screw type i.d. dont care if its illegal, rather get fined than broken in to!

Pinklilies,

If you find out anything about collars that break when caught on something I would be very grateful if you could let me know. I know they have designed a similar thing for horses so hopefully someone may know of a dog collar.

There's a business opportunity for some enthusiastic Champdogger!

M.

A breakable collar! That would be such a relief and if anyone does make one I will have 5!!!!!
I did try a sort of slip collar{like show slip lead but shorter} and kept loosing them and the half check ones was the one my boys was wearing when he got stuck in the pond.
When my dogs did wear collars all that was on them was my mobile phone number[I keep my phone on me at all times} and my surname as living in essex{sadly alot of gypsies around and dog thefts} I will not put the dogs name on or my address because the people who used to live in my house had a german shephard stolen out of the garden, I usd to let my dogs have the run of the garden when I was out BUT now they are kept indoors with all the windows and doors locked.
Its a sad sorry world we live in now..... :(

Sorry my cats don't wear collars either, on the advise of my vet.

For those who do not wish to use their addresses on tags and as per admin's e-mail, you could always state that your dog was being used to capture & destroy vermin! My two will always chase a rat if they see one! Tee hee!

For you people who don't put your dog’s names on the tag, just think how easy it is to change a dog’s name. People change the name of dogs obtained from rescue every day with no bother at all. Really, as I've said before, there is no way to beat the determined thief! In my experience dogs are not routinely scanned for microchip on being taken into kennels as strays. Nor are they scanned when you go to the vets so if you brought a stolen dog the chances are you would never know.

I know this post is not very helpful but what is the alternative? I refuse to worry about something I have no control over and which hopefully will never happen.

Sorry to be a wet blanket, John

hello all,

Molly has two disks, one for her petlog tag and her sliver tag with two numbers and our surname on. The cats are the same.

Julieann :)

mmmmmmmm, my lot have just got my mobile number on their tags, no address, no name. They are chipped though (well, rocky and saf are, dill hasnt been done yet)

Em