Dangerous dog laws not working, says MP
The Government’s strategy for tackling dangerous dogs is “misguided” and should be subject to a full-scale review a senior Westcountry MP has warned.
Neil Parish, Tiverton and Honiton MP and the chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee said laws introduced in 1991 outlawed certain breeds or types of dog to protect the public from attacks but the number of deaths and injuries has continued to rise – most of them involving legal breeds.
Hospital admissions for dog attacks have increased by 81% since 2005 and an “unacceptably high” number of victims suffer life-changing injuries, the the Efra Committee said.
Harmless dogs are being destroyed because they are banned breeds and cannot be rehomed even if they are goodtempered, which Mr Parish branded “cruel and illogical”.
The ban on transferring animals of banned breeds to new owners, if they are deemed to be safe, should be lifted immediately, the committee’s report said.
An independent review should be launched into the reasons for dog attacks and aggression, including whether banned breeds pose an inherently greater threat, and if not, the law should be changed.
The Government should also undertake a comprehensive review of the laws and policy on dangerous dogs, and support an alternative model that focuses on prevention through education, early intervention and robust sanctions.
Mandatory training
and education courses should be introduced for minor dog offences, similar to speed awareness courses for drivers.
With young children at risk of serious injury, ministers should support wider dog awareness training for schoolchildren, the MPs said, and there should be a targeted awareness campaign for dog owners and the general public on dealing with dogs safely.
A new “dog control act” should be introduced to con- solidate the existing patchwork of legislation, with dedicated dog control notices to allow for early intervention in incidents.
Mr Parish said: “The Government’s current strategy for tackling dangerous dogs is well-intentioned but misguided.
“Existing laws and the breed ban have not stemmed the rising tide of injuries and deaths from dog attacks.
“Children and adults are suffering horrific injuries, many of them avoidable. This is unacceptable.
“The public must be properly protected, and we are therefore calling for a fullscale review of existing dog control strategies.”
He said the Dangerous Dogs Act was “riddled with inconsistencies, harms animal welfare unnecessarily, and offers false reassurances to policymakers and the general public”. All dogs can be dangerous, and we can’t ban all dogs that might one day bite someone,” he added. He said the government should focus on encouraging responsible ownership, improving education and ensuring offenders face robust penalties.
‘The current strategy ... is well-intentioned but misguided’
Neil Parish MP