Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 it is an offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control.  This doesn’t mean that the dog has to bite someone, it includes a dog that is considered to be acting in a threatening manner.  The owner of any dog that is found to act in this way can be prosecuted by the Police. Conviction can result in fines of up to £2000 and/or 6 months imprisonment, or up to 2 years if someone is injured.  The courts may place a court order on the dog, restrict the owners future ability to keep dogs or order the destruction of the dog.

Dangerous dogs or dogs that worry livestock are dealt with as criminal offences by the Police, not the council.