Dangerous dogs
Dogs Trust has long considered the Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) to be ineffective. Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) has not reduced dog attacks, nor has it eradicated the dog known as the Pit Bull Terrier in the UK. If anything banning certain breed-types has made those dogs into status symbols and as such they are now more attractive to some people. Large numbers of these status dogs can be seen in urban areas and in Rehoming Centres across the UK. Dogs Trust considers that every dog is an individual and should be treated as such when assessing its behaviour. It is impossible to judge a dog's behavioural capabilities based upon its physical conformation or breed-type.
We do not believe that current legislation offers the public adequate protection against dog attacks. We would like to see the repeal of all Breed Specific Legislation, and a clear focus on 'deed not breed'. We want to see Police and Dog Wardens given the power to issue Dog 'ASBOs' or control orders to owners of dogs that are a threat and have acted aggressively or dangerously without provocation before an attack takes place. We also believe that stronger action should be taken against owners that have allowed or encouraged an attack to take place against a person or against an animal. Legislation must allow action to be taken against 'dangerous owners', whilst protecting the welfare of the dog. Dog control and dog welfare are inexorably connected.
Dogs Trust appreciates that despite the responsible majority of dog owners in the UK a minority still allow their dogs to be dangerously out of control on occasions, and this can regrettably pose a threat to individuals. We wish to see the offence of having a dog dangerously out of control extended from public spaces to private spaces also, which would place additional emphasis on dog owners to take responsibility for their dog's behaviour at all times. We also believe the introduction of compulsory microchipping for would significantly help with the identification of irresponsible owners and potentially deter 'casual' owners from obtaining a dog in the first instance.
The abuse and neglect often suffered by these so called 'status' dogs is unacceptable. Rescue centres in urban areas are over whelmed with bull-breeds and many of the dogs seized and incarcerated by the police under Section One of the DDA have not shown any aggression at all, they are simply of the banned breed-type.
In March 2010, the previous government launched a consultation on dangerous dogs. Dogs Trust was pleased to contribute to this consultation and we sincerely hope that the new coalition government will commit to addressing this problem and will bring in effective legislation to tackle the problem of dangerous dog owners in our society.
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