Almost £200,000 is being invested to step up dog control efforts and protect the public.
Police Scotland has been allocated £166,000 to train officers and purchase specially-equipped vans to safely transport dangerous and out-of-control dogs.
An additional £30,000 has been awarded to the National Dog Warden Association to enhance training for local authority wardens.
The funding follows the recommendations of the Responsible Dog Ownership Summit held last September.
The summit brought together key voices from Police Scotland, local councils, vets, public health and the third sector to improve public safety around dog ownership.
The new measures aim to support both prevention and enforcement, focusing on identifying banned breeds and managing aggressive or uncontrolled animals.
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said most dog owners are responsible but warned that action is needed to deal with those who are not.
She said the funding will boost public safety and support wardens in their frontline role advising owners and enforcing the law.
She praised the summit for helping shape the action plan and committed to continued collaboration with all involved partners.
Jim Ferguson, Chair of the National Dog Warden Association, welcomed the funding and the government’s partnership approach.
He said the NDWA is fully behind efforts to strengthen policies and improve protection for people and pets alike.
He added that the summit report is a strong foundation to build on as discussions progress.
Dog control has become a rising concern across many communities, with local authorities and Police Scotland facing increasing pressure to act.
The introduction of additional training and resources is seen as a practical step forward in managing the issue.
The new vehicles funded for Police Scotland are expected to be equipped to handle dogs securely and humanely.
Training for both officers and wardens will focus on breed identification, behaviour assessment, and safe handling techniques.
The move is part of a wider strategy by the Scottish Government to reduce harm and promote responsible ownership.
Officials say this investment will make it easier to intervene early when concerns are raised about a dog.
The partnership approach reflects the government’s view that effective dog control requires cooperation across agencies and communities.
Further updates and developments are expected as the implementation of the summit’s recommendations continues.
The funding announcement has been broadly welcomed as a timely and necessary step to ensure safer streets and parks.
