Up to $76 fines for unmuzzled dogs in Vietnam: Who can enforce?

Although the decree is already in force, dogs continue to roam freely without muzzles in many public areas, raising questions about who is responsible for enforcing the rules.

Who can impose fines?

Under Point b, Clause 2, Article 8 of the decree, individuals who take dogs into public places without a muzzle or leash, or without a person accompanying and controlling them, face fines ranging from VND1 million ($38) to VND2 million. 

The rule means owners can be fined up to VND2 million simply for taking a dog into a public place without a muzzle or leash.

According to lawyer Tran Minh Hung of the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association, the authority to impose fines at the local level rests with chairpersons of People's Committees at all levels, police, and heads of state agencies overseeing livestock and veterinary management.

Violations remain widespread

Despite the stricter penalties, violations remain common.

Hung said there are three main reasons.

First, enforcement remains lax. In many localities, authorities rarely impose fines unless a serious incident has occurred, while inspection forces are too limited to detect and handle violations on a daily basis.

Second, public awareness remains low. Many owners believe their dogs pose no risk or assume they have nothing to worry about because they have never been fined. Weak enforcement has further reinforced that attitude, weakening compliance with veterinary safety regulations.

Third, supporting infrastructure has yet to catch up. Dog ownership remains inadequately regulated, dedicated pet facilities are scarce, and public awareness of the risks posed by free-roaming dogs remains limited.

"The deterrent effect depends more on the ability to detect and punish violations than on the size of the fine itself," Hung said.

"If violations are not detected and handled, even higher fines will do little to change pet owners' behavior."

Other penalties under the decree

The decree also increases penalties for a range of violations related to animal disease prevention and control.

Under the decree, individuals who fail to vaccinate animals against rabies where vaccination is mandatory shall be fined VND1-2 million.

The decree also imposes fines of VND200,000-300,000 ($8-11) for on those failing to carry out mandatory animal vaccinations or other disease prevention measures.

Owners who fail to isolate, care for or treat sick animals can be fined VND1-1.5 million ($38-57).

Transporting or dumping diseased or dead livestock, poultry or their products into the environment, or trading breeding animals infected with contagious diseases, carries fines of VND5-6 million ($191-229).

Fines of VND6-8 million ($229-306) apply to the use of veterinary medicines that are not licensed or approved for circulation in Vietnam, are of unknown origin or have expired.

The same penalties apply to the improper use of veterinary drug ingredients or human medicines to prevent disease in animals.