The Mayhew Animal Home comment on the Dog Control Bill

Tuesday, 28 July 2009 12:00 AM

Placing more onus on responsible pet ownership with the Dog Control Bill is a step in the right direction, but additional focus should also be placed on dog breeders. The Mayhew certainly agrees that there is a large and growing problem with the misuse and mistreatment of dogs across the UK, but simply removing these dogs off the streets is not going to make this problem go away. This new proposed Bill needs to do more than simply provide legal backing for removing dogs. More needs to be done to stop them falling in to the hands of irresponsible owners; this means tighter breeding restrictions.

In effect, it is the people we need to target and work with - not the dogs. More needs to be done to address the unchecked breeding of dogs and also the ease with which dogs fall into the hands of irresponsible owners. The Mayhew would like to see tighter regulations placed on the trade in pets on the Internet and other forms of media, and priority given to the stricter monitoring of both registered and "backstreet" breeders. In addition, there needs to be more thought given to an effective registration system for dog owners which would embody the principles of responsible pet ownership.

The Mayhew believes each and every local council should invest in designated and trained personnel, such as Animal Welfare Officers and/or Dog Wardens, who can work both with local residents and pet owners to deal with prevent a looming crisis and make our communities safer for animals and people alike. Collaboration across the board between government and non-government bodies, as well as animal welfare organisations, will help to produce more comprehensive and cohesive methods to resolve this issue.

The Dog Control Bill may place more responsibility in the owner, but doesn't seem to be entirely clear as to who may make the judgement call when it comes to the Short Interpretation of the Act. It needs qualified legal and animal welfare specialists to reinforce and monitor any law that comes in, in regard to dogs and in specific the misuse of them in today's society.

Sarah Dickinson
Media & Communications Officer

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