The Scottish Parliament

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)

Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Question reference: S7W-03873

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 9 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) local authorities, (b) Police Scotland and (c) animal welfare organisations regarding promoting responsible dog ownership and reducing problems arising from irresponsible ownership in communities and public spaces.

The Scottish Government hosted a ‘Responsible Dog Ownership’ Summit in September 2024. The summit was an opportunity to bring together experts from a range of organisations, including Police Scotland, local authorities, animal welfare organisations, public health and third sector organisations to consider how dog control and public safety can be improved upon.

The Summit Report is available on the Scottish Government website: Responsible dog ownership summit: report - gov.scot

The Scottish Government subsequently established an Expert Advisory Group to look at the various issues raised at the Summit to help determine what steps can be progressed in the short, medium, and long term. For example, this includes what positive action can be taken that does not require legislation through, say, improvement to how laws are enforced.

Members of the expert advisory group include bodies such as Police Scotland, COSLA, Scottish SPCA, Dogs Trust and the National Dog Warden Association.

A number of sub-groups of the Expert Advisory Group have also been set up. The sub-groups are currently looking at specific areas of work, covering issues such as enforcement of dog control laws and dog welfare.

That work is ongoing, and the Scottish Government looks forward to seeing the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Group in due course.

General laws in relation to dog control are also kept under review to help ensure they continue to help keep communities safe.

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Question reference: S7W-03873

Answer