Dog ownership responsibilities

1.

Annual dog licence
Dogs must be licensed by 31 January each year in the Parish in which the owner is resident (licence fee £10 per dog; late applications after 31 January are £20 per dog).
A licence will not be issued to a person under the age of 16 years (or under 18 years if it is a “dangerous dog” registered with the States Veterinary Officer).
The licence is specific to a dog and cannot be transferred to another dog.

2.

Change of address or owner details
You must notify the Parish within 7 days of your address changing – please use this online form. If you move to a different Parish, your dog licence remains valid for your new Parish until it expires.
You must also update the dog collar (or a plate/badge attached to the collar) to show the dog’s name and licence number, and the owner’s telephone number.
If you sell or rehome your dog, or your dog dies, you must inform the Parish so our records may be updated.
If your dog is a “dangerous dog” and you intend to move to a new address, you must notify the States Veterinary Officer (SVO) of the intended new address and must not keep the dog at that address unless the SVO approves the address. You are not permitted to abandon, give away, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of a “dangerous dog”.
If your dog has a microchip you should also inform the Database provider of any change to the name or address of the owner so the details are correct.

3.

Dog collar/harness
Dogs must wear a collar or harness with the dog’s name and licence number, and the owner’s telephone number, inscribed on the collar (or a plate/badge attached to the collar) when on a highway or in a public place. It is not sufficient to have only a microchip or an identity number.
If you had a dog licence before 2 December 2025 you may, as an alternative, display your name, telephone number and address until that information or the dog collar or plate/badge is changed.
The requirement for a dog collar does not apply to a pack of hounds or while a dog is being used for sporting purposes (if wearing the collar could cause the dog harm) or for the capture or destruction of vermin.

4.

Dogs must be under proper control at all times
Your dog’s behaviour must NOT give rise to alarm or apprehension for the safety of a person, domestic animal or livestock.
If you cannot recall your dog at all times, seek support from Trainers and Instructors who meet the standards in the Jersey Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs during Training.
When in a public place, a “dangerous dog” must always be muzzled and on a lead under the control of a person over 18 years old.
Public liability insurance cover is recommended for all dogs as a claim may be made as a civil case for damage or injury caused by the dog. Insurance may generally be arranged through a household policy.
a. Worrying livestock
Your dog must NOT worry livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses or poultry). This includes attacking livestock or chasing livestock in a way that may reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering (includes abortion/loss for female livestock).
When on agricultural land where there is livestock, you MUST keep your dog on a lead or within 5 metres of you and under your control. “Agricultural land” means land used as arable or meadow land for the grazing of livestock, land used for the purposes of keeping poultry or pigs, or land used for market gardening, or as allotments, nursery grounds or orchards. b. Removing dog faeces
It is your duty to clean up after your dog. This applies to all beaches and parks and to all public areas including roads and pavements. The fine for not doing so is up to £1,000. c. On the beach
Dogs may be exercised on Jersey beaches at any time but between the hours of 10.30 and 18.00 from 1 May to 30 September must be kept on a lead (a “dangerous dog” must be muzzled and on a lead at all times).
You must not let your dog rush at, worry or otherwise interfere with the safety, comfort or convenience of any other person on the beach. d. In parks
Dogs are permitted in many parks around the Island but many parks have specific rules, e.g. to keep your dog on a lead and on established paths. Please read the signs carefully and follow the instructions given (a “dangerous dog” must be muzzled and on a lead at all times). e. On the road
Within the ring road (the area enclosed by and including the Esplanade, Peirson Road, Cheapside, Elizabeth Place, Rouge Bouillon, Springfield Road, Janvrin Road, St. Mark’s Road, St. Saviour’s Road, Pleasant Street, Clarence Road, Don Road, Colomberie, Grenville Street, Green Street, Route du Fort and Weighbridge) you must keep a dog on a lead and you must not permit a dog to stray on the road (a “dangerous dog” must be muzzled and on a lead at all times).

5.

Stray dogs
Do not let your dog stray. If a dog is found on a highway or in any other public place and is believed to be a stray, it may be seized by a police officer and detained until the owner has claimed it and paid all expenses incurred by reason of its detention.
If your dog is lost, please report this to the Duty Centenier or your Parish Hall.
If you find a stray dog, please contact the owner (using the details shown on the collar/harness). If you are unable to look after the dog until it is returned to the owner, or if it is a “dangerous dog”, then contact the Duty Centenier or Parish Hall of the Parish where the dog is found.
Stray dogs will be taken into care and the owner will be liable for the collection costs and the housing costs incurred (collection per journey leg; housing per 24 hours or part thereof). Dogs which are not claimed within 7 days may be re-homed, sold or, as a last resort, painlessly destroyed.