I’m wondering because I’ve seen a few posts mentioning a law that’s supposed to ban minors from walking dogs.
I’m quite surprised because I know loads of teenagers and kids who walk people's dogs to earn a bit of pocket money.
I’ve never done it myself, but I didn't know it was against the law.
Does the law also apply when it’s your own dogs?
I’m 11 and I walk my dogs on my own.
I live in the countryside and I usually take them for walks in the woods.
I’ve got two that I got for my 9th birthday and they’re really mine; I’m the one who walks them.
So am I not allowed to???????!??😶
If anyone knows the laws about minors walking dogs, could you please let me know?
Thanks, Jasmine.
Translated from French
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I'm not sure about the rules in France, but in some Belgian councils, you have to be at least 16 to walk any dogs on the restricted list. American Akitas and Akita Inus are categorised in certain areas, so it’s definitely something to keep in mind depending on the breed.
It’s the owner’s responsibility at the end of the day; it’s up to them to decide if they’re willing to take the ‘risk’ of letting a minor walk the dog on their own.
I've been looking into it too. Aside from the fact that you can start pet sitting from the age of 14—and even then, it’s subject to how mature they are, though it doesn't say who actually assesses that. I suppose it’s down to whoever decides to trust the child with the dog.
I also read that you should avoid letting kids walk a dog if it weighs double or triple what they do (most kids can hold back a Yorkie easily enough, but not so much a Dogue de Bordeaux or a high-spirited Shepherd).
It’s just logic, common sense really...
What I’ve gathered is that it isn’t necessarily against the law to let a kid walk a dog (it doesn't specify if it has to be the family dog or not), but if there’s a problem, the responsibility falls on the person who made that decision, and I reckon they’d be held accountable.
When I told the OP on the other thread that she needed to do her research, I meant she can’t just say, "Since nobody’s ever said anything to me, I must be allowed to do it." That’s a dangerous way of thinking—not just for her, but also for the people she might be giving jobs to.
If you don’t know, you find out, but that doesn’t mean the answers you find will always be clear.
There isn’t a law against a child walking a dog, but as they aren't legally responsible (I'm not sure if it's 16 or 18), the adult who lets the child take the dog out is the one held responsible for anything that might go wrong.
Hi everyone, I’m just wondering because I’ve seen some posts about a law being brought in to ban under-18s from walking dogs. This surprises me, as I know plenty of teenagers and kids who walk other people’s dogs to earn some pocket money. I’ve never done it myself, but I didn’t know it was against the law. Does the law also apply to your own dogs? I’m 11, and I walk my dogs on my own. I live in the countryside and I usually take them for walks in the woods. I have two dogs that I got for my 9th birthday which are really mine; I’m the one who walks them. So does that mean I’m not allowed to???????!?? 😶 If anyone knows about the laws on minors walking dogs, could you please let me know? Thanks, Jasmine.
Hi,
Could you copy and paste the messages you read? (Because if it’s my posts you’re talking about, among others, it’s possible you might have misunderstood what I meant).
I don’t think it’s actually illegal, although I’m not 100% sure on the current laws. A dog is the responsibility of its owner or the person handling it (like someone walking it for a bit of pocket money, a pet sitter, etc.). But if the owner or walker is a minor, who is responsible, given that a minor is under the responsibility of their parents (or legal guardian)?
So, if something goes wrong, I reckon it’s your parents who are responsible even if they aren’t there at the time 🤔.
Whose name are your dogs microchipped under?
