Dogs Act 1871

The Dogs Act 1871 (34 & 35 Vict. c. 56) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which deals with the handling of stray and dangerous dogs.

Section 1 of the act dealt with stray dogs – this section was repealed by the Dogs Act 1906.

Section 2 is the only part still in force: it says that if a magistrates' court receives a complaint that a dog is dangerous, the court can order the dog to be destroyed, or it can order the owner to keep the dog under proper control, and if that order isn't followed, the court can impose a fine.

Section 3 dealt with rabid dogs – this part was repealed by the Rabies Act 1974.