A Dangerous Dogs Seminar addressing the question of how to protect the public without compromising the welfare of dogs, took place on Tuesday at the House of Commons. Key speakers from the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group (DDASG) which includes the Metropolitan Police, Kennel Club, Dogs Trust, Wandsworth Borough Council and also a representative from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers explored reasons why dogs bite and how dog biting incidents can be prevented.

The DDASG has been considering the issue in depth for a while. It believes that the introduction of its proposed 'Control of Dogs Act', which incorporates some aspects of the Dogs Act 1871 and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 as amended, but ultimately repeals them - will do much to improve the law.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said:

"The Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group, with backup from the Kennel Club, has been involved with this matter for a considerable number of years. We would like the current draconian, flawed, 'dangerous dog' legislation scrapped and replaced by the Group's drafted 'Control of Dogs Act', which will do far more to protect the public, responsible owners and their dogs."

Superintendent Simon Ovens, Metropolitan Police Service, said:

"The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 as amended has been widely criticised as it has had a significant effect on the welfare of some dogs, which have either been kept in kennels for many years or euthanased simply because of their breed or type. Additionally, it has not prevented dog attacks in the UK and we are still dealing with cases of Pit Bull 'type' dogs.

"Statistics on dog attacks have not reduced since the Act was introduced and in fact, the number of hospitalisations is reported as having doubled. I would therefore welcome the suggested strengthening of Section Three of the current legislation, which would help target irresponsible owners."

The DDASG says Section 3 of The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 as amended has failed because:

 

It only applies after an incident has taken place, rather than operating on a preventative basis;

 

It only applies when the dog is in a public place, or a private place where it is not permitted to be (so that persons entering a private place where the dog is permitted to be have no protection);

 

It only applies to dogs that have acted dangerously towards people.

A copy of DDASG Objectives is available here [MS Word].

The next stage of the process will be for the Group to lobby Defra to seek changes to existing legislation.

Tuesdays seminar was sponsored by Marsha Singh MP and arranged by the Kennel Club. MPs attending the meeting included: Bill Wiggin, Tony Baldry, Adrian Bailey, Roger Gale, Martin Horwood and Lord Soulsby.