Taking the lead in the Lords, the publicly supported Dog Control Bill moves a step closer towards changing dangerous dog legislation for good when it reaches Report Stage in the House of Lords tomorrow (Friday 10th June).

Over 10,000 people signed up to support it and animal welfare organisations and charities throughout the UK are backing it; Lord Redesdale’s Dog Control Bill would replace the widely criticised Dangerous Dogs Act (1991), by targeting the inappropriate behaviour of any dog, and more importantly the owners of such dogs, to reduce the occurrence of serious dog incidents, rather than continuing to demonise specific breeds or types.

Important backing

Championed by the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group (DDASG), a wide-ranging group representing animal welfare, local authorities and veterinary professional organisations who have been actively involved in resolving the inadequacies of the current ‘dangerous dog’ legislation for many years, the Dog Control Bill continues its passage through the House of Lords on Friday.

The DDASG considers that the Dangerous Dogs Act needs to be overhauled to better protect the public and that a new dog control regime which emphasises responsible dog ownership should be introduced.

A word from the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group

DDASG Chairman Chris Laurence said: “We have had considerable input into the Dog Control Bill and are confident that the Bill takes huge steps towards changing the manner in which owners of dogs that are out of control will be dealt with; the emphasis being on the prevention of dog bites.”

The Report Stage of the Dog Control Bill is listed as the first item of business in the House of Lords on Friday morning and comes as Defra’s public consultation on dangerous dogs shows further support for this approach with 71% of respondents calling for breed specific legislation to be repealed.

Get involved

In support of the Bill, the DDASG launched a petition which has received over 10,000 signatures. The petition can be found at www.gopetition.com/petitions/repeal-and-replace-the-dangerous-dogs-act.html. The DDASG has also been working with other major stakeholders including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and will be issuing a joint briefing to government tomorrow, entitled ‘Finding solutions to irresponsible dog ownership’ which outlines where urgent action must be taken in existing dog legislation to improve huge inadequacies within the law.

Subject to the Bill passing the Report Stage, the Third Reading will take place after summer recess before moving to the House of Commons for further consideration. For more information on the DDASG, Lord Redesdale’s Dog Control Bill and current legislation, please visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/928.

ENDS

9^th June 2011

[178.11]

For further press information, images or interview requests please contact:

Victoria Brown, DDASG coordinator

07540 731320 / 020 7518 1008

victoria.brown@thekennelclub.org.uk

Notes to Editors

The Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group:

The Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group (DDASG) is a wide-ranging group representing animal welfare, local authorities and veterinary professional organisations and includes representation from:

• Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
• Blue Cross
• British Veterinary Association
• British Small Animal Veterinary Association
• Dogs Trust
• Kennel Club
• Mayhew Animal Home
• RoyalCollegeof Veterinary Surgeons
• Wandsworth Borough Council
• Wood Green Animal Shelters

Defra’s ‘Summary of Responses to the Consultation on Dangerous Dogs from 9th March 2010 to 1st June 2010’ can be found at: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/dangerous-dogs/index.htm

The Dog Control Bill would::

Repeal all existing ‘dangerous dogs’ legislation including breed specific legislation

The police expend significant resources on enforcement of the Dangerous Dogs Act, with large amounts of money being spent on the seizure and kennelling of dogs simply because of their breed type - many of which are returned to their owners once proved to be of good temperament. Removing breed specific legislation would allow those resources to be used more effectively elsewhere, and preferably to concentrate on those dogs showing unprovoked aggression.

ntroduce Dog Control Notices

The vast majority of dog attacks are as a result of the irresponsible actions of dog owners, who have either not taken the time and trouble to train their dog correctly, or have indeed trained them to behave aggressively. Dog Control Notices will apply to all types of dog that have acted dangerously without provocation, caused an injury to another protected animal (as defined by the Animal Welfare Act 2006), caused harm, or caused a person to reasonably believe it will cause harm, and works to prevent serious incidents of aggression occurring by allowing preventative action.

Apply to both public and private places

A large proportion of dog attacks occur in the home and involve a dog that is known to the victim. The Dog Control Bill will make attacks on private property a criminal offence. Greater responsibility is therefore placed on owners to ensure that their dogs are not out of control in any place. It is not acceptable for an owner to allow their dog to behave aggressively either in the home or in a public place. The Bill does however include exemptions to cover circumstances such as an attack or aggression as a result of an attack by another animal, or on a person whilst that person is committing an offence.

A joint briefing paper ‘Finding solutions to irresponsible dog ownership’ will be issued to government on Friday 10 June and is supported by:

• Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
• Blue Cross
• BSAVA
• BVA
• Dogs Trust
• Communications Workers Union
• GMB
• Guide Dogs for the Blind
• Kennel Club
• Mayhew Animal Home
• National Dog Wardens Association
• Police Federation
• Prospect
• RCN
• RCVS
• RSPCA
• UNISON
• Unite
• USDAW

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