|
|
|
Dangerous dog owners could lose their home (UK)
Dangerous dog owners could lose their home
Dog owners have been warned they risk losing their council home if they do
not control their pet.
Wandsworth Council's leader, Edward Lister, is also calling for a new
licensing system - including a minimum age for keeping a dog - to deal with
the problem of irresponsible ownership.
The new licences would require stringent tests preventing those deemed
unsuitable from owning a dog.
He said: "We have a 24-hour phone line and we are sending out a strong
message on housing estates that if you - or a family member - has a dog that
is out of control you could end up losing your home.
"But it's all very time-consuming and involves many hours of collaborative
working between different agencies. We need sharper powers if we are to
tackle this problem proactively."
Coun Lister added: "A risk-based approach to dog ownership would identify
those animals for which a licence would be necessary. It could include, for
example, all types of bull terrier - going beyond the very narrow list
covered by the Dangerous Dog Act.
"Crucially it would also look at who was owning and controlling the dog. In
our experience in Wandsworth most of the problems are with animals owned by
young people aged 13-17.
"There should be a minimum age for ownership. You could add a fit and proper
person test which would weed out many other unsuitable types. The critics
might say this would be as unworkable as the current legislation or as
irrelevant as the old licence system. That would be giving up before we've
started.
Last month yourlocalguardian.co.uk reported a string of savage dog attacks
in the Dover House Road are of Putney had left residents fearing for their
safety.
According to residents the attacks caused the death of two pets.
And police confirmed they were forced to shoot one of the attacking dogs on
October 21.
Anyone who wants to report a dog problem to Wandsworth Council should call
020 8871 7532.
|
|
|