With around 1.3m dogs living in the East of England, dogs are an everyday presence in parks, on pavements and on public transport. But with dogs now playing such a major role in our lives, what does it mean to be a responsible owner in 2026?
- There are an estimated 1.3m dogs living in the East of England, but research reveals there’s a gulf between the number of owners who believe they are responsible and the experience of the UK public
- 96% of dog owners say they are responsible; meanwhile 86% of people report issues with irresponsible dog ownership, with dog mess, jumping up on people without permission, and dogs off lead being the most common issues
- Dogs Trust and RSPCA have launched a national consultation to gather the views of owners and non-owners on what responsible dog ownership looks like as dog population reaches a record high
According to new research by YouGov on behalf of Dogs Trust and RSPCA, 96% of dog owners consider themselves to be responsible, with picking up dog waste in public spaces, ensuring dogs are safe and taken care of, and proper training and socialisation most frequently cited as the most important aspects of ownership by dog owners*.
However, despite most dog owners believing they are acting responsibly, the survey worryingly revealed a large majority of the UK public – 86% – have experienced issues with irresponsible dog owners, with a quarter (25%) witnessing this at least once a week.
Further to this, despite owners ranking it as the most important element of responsible dog ownership, 72% of those who have seen dog owners behaving irresponsibly report seeing owners leave dog mess on the ground. Among those who have seen dog owners behaving irresponsibly, around a third report having witnessed owners letting their dogs jump up at people (34%), and the same proportion have seen people having their pets off-lead in restricted areas (33%).
Meanwhile, a quarter (25%) of those who have seen dog owners behaving irresponsibly reported seeing owners ignore their dogs when they were acting aggressively. This comes at a time when NHS data shows that the number of dog-related injuries in the UK continues to grow.
This new data from YouGov is further supported by Dogs Trust’s National Dog Survey**, which reveals insights into more than 340,000 dogs. Four in ten owners surveyed (40%) said they worry about the behaviour of other people’s dogs and what this means for keeping their own dog safe.
With a clear gulf between owners’ perception of what being a responsible dog owners means and the reality experienced by others, two of the UK’s leading dog welfare organisations, Dogs Trust and RSPCA, have created a Responsible Dog Ownership framework which has been designed to help dog owners and their communities have a better, more consistent understanding of what it means to be a responsible dog owner.
The charities have launched a national consultation to gather the public’s views on this framework, which covers a number of aspects of dog ownership how dogs and people can better share public spaces, and how owners can provide their dogs with a happy and healthy life.
It is hoped that this blueprint for responsible dog ownership will be adopted by local government, police forces, animal welfare organisations, and other groups across the country, ensuring that all dog owners have a clear understanding of what it takes to be a responsible dog owner.
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, says:
“There are more dogs in the UK than ever before, and with so many now sharing our everyday spaces with us, it’s important that there is a consistent understanding of what it means to be a responsible dog owner. Responsible dog ownership benefits everyone, not just those with dogs, because safer, well cared for dogs help create safer communities.
“However, there is a clear gap between what owners perceive as responsible dog ownership and what people are experiencing, so we want to work to bridge the gap. We’re asking the public to help shape the future of responsible dog ownership in the UK, so whether you’re a dog owner or not, we want to hear what responsible dog ownership means to you.”
Dr Samantha Gaines, RSPCA dog welfare expert said:
“Owning a dog can be one of life’s greatest joys, and being a responsible owner is an essential part of that experience. Dogs are the nation’s most popular pet. Understanding what responsible dog ownership is and what that looks like is integral to keeping dogs and communities safe and happy.
“This consultation will be invaluable in building a shared understanding of what responsible ownership looks like – from devoted dog owners to those who regularly interact with dogs, and everyone in between – helping us make a positive difference to dog welfare and community safety.”
* All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4,328 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 20th – 23rd February 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
** The National Dog Survey is the UK’s largest study of dogs and the people who love them, led by the charity Dogs Trust. This year, over 340,00 (342,974) people responded to the survey. While 314,755 respondents were dog owners, who told us about 423,175 dogs, we also heard from 22,654 people who did not own a dog. This year’s annual survey ran from 13 May 2025 to 24 June 2025.
