Dangerous Dogs advice for owners

Dangerous Dogs Amnesty Advice

Following the recent spate of dangerous dog amnesties which are taking place around the country, the Kennel Club has issued the following advice to worried pit bull or pit bull type dog owners.

Owning a pit bull type dog is illegal under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
If you live in an ‘amnesty area’ and are willing to hand your dog over to the Police during the amnesty period, you will not be prosecuted for owning an illegal dog but your dog will be put down.
You do not have to hand your dog over to the Police.
If you do not hand your dog over to the Police then they could get a warrant to seize your dog. However they cannot enter your premises without a warrant.
If your dog is seized by the police, they cannot put your dog down unless you consent to this. If you do not consent, then court proceedings will begin. It is unclear whether legal aid would be available to you. This depends on the Section of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 under which the Police seize the dog.

Dangerous Dogs Court Proceedings

If proceedings are taken against you even if you have a pit bull terrier type dog then provided your dog is not a danger to public safety, you have a reasonable chance of avoiding a destruction order being made against your dog.

If you are a responsible dog owner and your dog is a well trained family dog then it is likely that the court would not order your dog to be destroyed and you may not be prosecuted.
Your pit bull or pit bull type dog would be placed on a Register called the Index of Exempted Dogs. Your dog would have to be kept on a lead and muzzled in public places; your dog would have to be micro-chipped and neutered. This would allow you to continue to keep the dog and not face prosecution in the future.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Owner Advice

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not listed as part of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and therefore you should face no threat of having your dog seized by the police.

If you believe you have an Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier then it is possible you have a pit bull type dog and will face the same threat of seizure and prosecution as pit bull dog owners.

Information for those wishing to object to breed specific legislation

If you wish to write to politicians about breed specific legislation then these facts may be of use.

Genetics and Behaviour

Genetics (breed) plays only a part in the temperament of an individual dog and scientific studies from around the world show that environment probably has a far greater effect. A large percentage of dog biting incidents are due to the irresponsible actions of owners, who have either not taken the time and trouble to train their dog correctly, or have indeed trained them to behave aggressively. Consequently any legislation based on genetics that ignores the influence of the dog’s keeper on its behaviour is likely to be ineffective.

Enforcement

Breed specific legislation is unworkable. In England the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 has failed to prevent a large number of dog attacks and has cost the Police millions of pounds in kennelling associated costs.

Welfare Implications

From a welfare perspective, it is concerning that dogs that have not shown any signs of aggression could end up being put to sleep or being remanded in police kennels.

Rumours about ‘Lock Jaw’ in Pit Bull Terrier Type Dogs

Scientific research has proven that the pit bull terrier and related breeds are physiologically no different from any other breed of dog. Dr Lehr Brisbin and colleagues at the University of Georgia have shown that there is nothing in the skeletal structure of the pit bull terrier jaw that is any different from that of any other dog in respect to locking.

Contacts

England:

X MP
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA

Minister Jonathan Shaw MP
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR

Ireland

Minister Gormley
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Custom House
Dublin 1

Mr Brendan Hayden/Mr Micheal O’Neill/Cllr Kevin Humphreys
Dublin City Council
Civic Offices
Wood Quay
Dublin 8

Scotland

Minister Richard Lochhead MSP
Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh EH99 1SP

Related Links

If you require more detailed information and advice we recommend you visit the following websites:

www.doglaw.co.uk

www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/domestic/dogs.htm

www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1991/Ukpga_19910065_en_1.htm

Kennel Club press releases relating to Dangerous Dogs

The Kennel Club Response to disgraceful Merseyside ‘Dangerous Dog Amnesty’