Dog owners across the UK have once again been reminded of a legal requirement that, if ignored, could result in fines up to £5,000. This obligation, established under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, applies whenever a dog is taken into a public place and concerns the visibility of key information on its collar.
A recent alert reported by Birmingham Mail has brought renewed attention to this regulation, highlighting potential consequences for non-compliance. While the law itself has been in place for decades, some of its details continue to raise questions — particularly among pet owners using modern identification methods.
UK Law Requires Name And Address — But Critics Say It’s Outdated
Under current legislation, all dogs in public spaces must wear a collar with a tag that states their owner’s name and address. This rule applies regardless of whether the dog is microchipped, tracked via GPS, or stays close to home.
As D for Dogs clearly states on its website:
“What to put on dog tag UK law? You are legally required to put your name and address on your dog’s tag. A house number and postcode are all that is needed to specify an entire UK address, so it is perfectly acceptable to put just those details and your name.”
This is especially helpful for dog owners dealing with small tag sizes. But D for Dogs doesn’t shy away from calling the law outdated:
The law states that only your address is needed but this is so outdated. If your dog gets lost, is someone going to write you a letter? No. The name and address legal requirements are very outdated now.
They go further, urging all dog owners to go beyond the legal minimum:
“We all communicate by phone and it is much more instant, which is exactly what is needed. So definitely get your phone number engraved on the tag, even though it is not required by law.”
The organisation also recommends indicating whether the dog is microchipped:
“We also feel it is a good idea, if your dog is microchipped, to state this on the dog tag so that any authorities know to scan your dog.”
Despite being based on a law written over three decades ago, failure to comply can trigger enforcement action. Offenders could face a whopping £5,000 fine, not just once but potentially on multiple occasions if the violation persists.
Real-World Challenges Prompt Owners To Adapt Collar Habits
For many modern dog owners, following the law isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. Concerns about pet safety and practical issues often influence how ID information is displayed. On Reddit, several dog owners shared stories that reveal the tension between compliance and real-world concerns.
One user recounted a frightening experience:
“I had a dog get her toenail stuck in the tag ring one time, also the jingling is annoying. I moved to collars with their name and our phone numbers stitched on them. Honestly, I rarely have my dogs’ collars on — I would hate for them to be playing and get injured or choked.”
Another owner explained how design choices for comfort sometimes conflict with ID needs:
“We don’t want the tag to get caught anywhere and potentially cause issues. Our girl has a round collar to not mess up her coat, so slip-on tags don’t work terribly well with it. She does have a Fi (a GPS tracker) on her collar, so we should in theory be able to use it to track her down if she gets lost.”
These examples highlight how many dog owners — especially those using high-tech solutions like GPS trackers — are adapting in ways that make traditional tags seem redundant. But while tech might offer convenience, legal requirements remain non-negotiable.
