Submitted by Amy peat on Monday 20th October 2025
Published on Wednesday 7th January 2026
Current status: Open
Open until: Tuesday 7th July 2026
Current Signatures: 2,355
(count is updated approximately hourly)
Relevant Departments
Tagged with
Capacity ~ Decisive ~ Distressed ~ Dogging ~ Equal ~ Equality Act ~ Equality Act 2010 ~ Essential ~ Failed ~ Form ~ formal ~ Government MUST ~ irreversible ~ learning ~ Mandate ~ Mental health conditions ~ mentalhealth ~ Offered ~ Opportunity ~ Owners ~ Police ~ Reasonable ~ risk ~ Seek ~ Signature ~ The Police ~ Verify ~ vulnerability ~ Window
Mandate a 72-hour period before formal acceptance of a dog surrender document
The Government must institute a non-waivable 72-hour cooling off period before requesting a signature for any relinquishment form offered in lieu of seizure of a dog.
The police must complete and record a checklist to verify the owner's capacity, noting trauma or incapacitation, and confirming they have been advised of their legal rights.
Currently, dog owners can be coerced into making an irreversible decision while distressed or mentally incapacitated. This practice risks breaching the Equality Act 2010 by failing to provide Reasonable Adjustment for owners with disabilities, mental health conditions, or learning difficulties. A 72-hour window is essential to allow owners, especially those who are vulnerable, the opportunity to seek legal advice and reach an informed decision.
If you want to sign this petition (as opposed to merely discuss it), you need to do that on the government's e-Petitions website.
216.73.217.179 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:20:45 +0100
