There are different elements to the UK legislation surrounding dog security, and these relate to:
- How the dogs are controlled
- Animal welfare
- How detection dogs should be used
- Licensing of security professionals
And these various sets of legislation work to protect dogs, their handlers and third parties. Historically, the term ‘guard dogs’ has come to mean a dog left loose and un-handled to guard a premises, usually a vacant business or other property, while the term ‘security dog’ refers to a team of a dog and its handler, used specifically for trained security purposes.
Guard Dogs Act 1975
The first piece of valid legislation controlling the use of security dogs is the Guard Dogs Act 1975. This prevents the use of guard dogs in the traditional sense, and means a dog guarding premises must be accompanied by a handler who is controlling the dog at all times, unless the dog is secured in order that it can’t move freely around the property. This is a key requirement of section one of the Guard Dogs Act, and any breach of this act could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000. Also contained in this act is the requirement to post a notice that security dogs and their handlers are present. This should be posted at each entrance to the premises.
BS8517-2:2016: Security Dogs
BS 8517-2:2016: Security dogs is a code of practice for the use of detection dogs. Any professional dog security services provider, such as React K9, will abide by the guidance and recommendations contained within this code of practice. This ensures that all dog handlers are trained and screened to guarantee they are SIA-licenced and registered with NASDU, as well as being fully insured. SIA stands for Security Industry Authority and NASDU stands for National Association of Security Dog Users.
SIA licences and NASDU membership
All security professionals operating in the UK – such as nightclub bouncers as well as dog security – must be SIA-licenced in order to be employed in the security industry. Having licenced handlers as well as NASDU membership, ensures dog handlers are committed to exceptional quality and animal welfare. This also ensures that dog handlers and dogs have passed a comprehensive and professional training programme, which is continually assessed and refreshed. This classes the dog teams as safe for deployment in various different industry sectors and working environments. NASDU certification also covers the welfare of the dog in terms of its general health and its training, i.e. can it competently and safely deal with certain situations without sustaining injury? So security dogs will undergo regular training stints where they are exposed to different live scenarios and are trained to respond reliably and consistently.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 covers the welfare of security dogs more closely, and ensures key decisions are made about their everyday welfare. This includes how the dog and its handler live, work and train together.
How React K9 demonstrates its competence and regulatory compliance
Finally, a professional dog security services provider will provide copies of all licences and accreditation and will conduct comprehensive risk assessments prior to each contract. This will include thorough site visits to understand the premises, location and risk levels and to ensure dog teams are assigned who can handle the specific circumstances. Along with this, a dog security services provider will also possess and supply copies of relevant documentation relating to public and employers’ liability insurance. This demonstrates that it knows and understands its duties relating to protecting the public and its dog handlers. It specifically shows that dogs have been suitably trained and that handlers understand key legislation and how the dog team should act and respond in all scenarios.
If you wish to understand more about UK legislation surrounding dog security, then contact our experts at React K9 and we can explain all the relevant regulatory requirements we are bound by, and how they affect your business.
