Jubilee Event Guide
New dog laws - will they "lead" to less irresponsible dog owners?
Featuring heavily in the news this week is the story outlining new plans for Dog owners. The government are forcing all owners of any dog to take out third party pet insurance, and to have their dog chipped.
Other changes will be to issue a new "Dogbo" to owners and dogs, to help curb the rise in dog related attacks.
These measures will be part of the revamped Dangerous Dogs Act.
Ministers are also considering introducing New Dog Control Notices for misbehaving animals which would allow police officers and council officials to force miscreant owners to muzzle, leash or even neuter their pets. In extreme cases the dogs could even be confiscated and given to new owners.
If changes happen it could also be a criminal offence for a dog owner to allow their animal to be “dangerously out of control”. At the moment they are only breaking the law if the dog is out of control in a public place. There is also concern about the widespread use of dogs as weapons on inner city estates.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “Britain is a nation of animal lovers, but people have a fundamental right to feel safe on the streets and in their homes.”
Some people have voiced concerns and would like to see further measures such as an age limit imposed on owners of ‘status-symbol dogs’ such as Rottweilers, akitas, pit bull types and, in some cases, huskies.
Calls for placing a age restriction on anyone walking those kind of dogs for owners are also being asked to be added to th enew bill.
“Compulsory micro-chipping to give a vital history trail would be invaluable, it’s too easy for dogs with a violent past to be passed on for re-housing to some poor un-suspecting family.”
The RSPCA has welcomed the Government’s decision to consult the public on its proposals. The charity said there was “a real need” for updated legislation to tackle the problem.
Claire Robinson, the RSPCA’s Government relations manager, said: “It is fantastic news that the Government has opened a genuine debate on the subject and given the public a chance to have their say on the best way to tackle the issue of dogs being used anti-socially.”
Comments
I think any measure the
I think any measure the government can take towards ensuring people are responsible when owning a dog has to be welcomed.
I like the idea of a dogbo too, but like the new fouling fines and procedures that the city council introduced last year, can't see how they can be policed.
I'm all for an outright ban on a certain breed of dog in public areas, especially in places that back onto parks.
What do our dog owners think?
Knee-jerk reaction
Knee-jerk reaction from the government targeting responsible dog owners to cover the costs of none responsible owners. More should be done to get these people into court and issuing spot fines for dog owners who have disregard for the laws that are already in place. You just have to look at what goes on in the open-space to see how the council have disregard for complaints regarding dog fouling and people using the play area and sports court to exercise their dogs. It is a pity that we could not enforce a no go area around the kiddies park and sports court. I for one would be happy for the moat around the play area be the boundary marker for a NO GO area for dogs.
In my opinion, I think the
In my opinion, I think the government are coming up with new legislation in a mis-guided attempt to look like they are acting on a real problem which is not being policed effectively. My own dogs are obviously microchipped, and both are insured with reputable companies, both of which include 3rd party liability insurance of £1million. Many of our clients already have the same level of protection in place too. So who exactly is the traget of the new legislation? IN many cases it is the same poeple who are already breaking, or coming close to brekaing, laws which already exist, such as ownership of 'dangerous' breeds of dog such as pit bulls etc. If the current laws were policed better, there would be absolutely no need to introduce these new measures.
However, I am strongly in favour of the pan to microchip all dogs (and cats), but not for the reasons the government is proposing.
NOT DANGEROUS DOGS! BUT THE OWNERS!
Somethings really hack me off when news stories and people say "dangerous dogs" in fact not so.. in many cases its the owners that are to blame for these dogs to be dangerous being mistreaked trained to attack and down right abused.. so what the government doing about these owners? nowt they seem to get away with in 9 times out of 10 they get a smack on the wrist and told not to do it again, they should be banned named and shamed so that they do not and should be not allowed to have another animal..dogs that are being treated like this will be left abandoned more work for the RSPCA as if they havent got enough work on, more and more will be kennelled or put down if they cannot be found new decent homes...we have a rottie that we took on from the kennels in Bucknall,which she Sasha has now settled down and at last happy from being abused by her last owner(s)... certainly a different dog now than she was when she was brough to the kennels, you could see she timid and every rib was seen.. with tender loving care and some respect for the dog, who Sasha is now part of the family.. its not hard to treat with kindness is it?
As for microchipping, she was microchipped before she left the kennels to be with us, it is a good idea, but for the ones who think these dogs are a status symbol do you realy think they are going to fork out to have the dog microchipped and lisenced.. personally speaking i think the abusers need to be microchipped and lisecened not the dogs!
any dog could be dangerous
any dog could be dangerous dog in the wrong hands,
the laws that the goverment want to bring in will not reach the people that need to be policed .
yet again its the few that causes problems and everyone has to suffer these pre-election ideas.
there should be a no-go area in parks for dogs.
but also there should be an enclosed area where you can if wanted let your dog off the lead so they can have a good run. a dog park .
people need to be able to control /look after their dogs , perhaps its a case of going to a test day or dog trainning classes to see if you are capable of owning a dog.
people need to be able to
I like the idea of that, I don't know how it's going to be implemented, but still would be a good solution. I guess if it's done on the same lines as adoption (yes I know it sounds ridiculous) but the whole adoption process is about vetting the family. A lot of the rules should apply, about well being, rules, health guidance and so on.
perhaps a list of dog
perhaps a list of dog trainning classes on here might encourage some owners with their dogs to take part in these classes. .
i only know 2
http://www.taketheleaddtc.com
we took our dogs here,
and for ring craft classes- (dog showing )
Chesterton Parish Hall tuesdays 7.30pm
contact -Janet 07747628651
there must be more
More Drivel
Yet more drivel from our incompetetant goberment. How will any of this legislation be enforced ??. Lets look at anti social behavior . Well they claim to be tough on that but you can go out and see it on almost any street . Mobile phone use in cars oh they have really stopped that. So what is the chance of poor over streched plod coming along to check anyone walking dog to see if they have a chip/licence/insurance ?.
Its another non starter...
Claire, some excellent points
Claire, some excellent points made, especialy about dog owners not dogs.
Steve another good post from you stating what this Government cannot "the obvious".
Why not implant the owners with a microchip instead of the dogs if they are found to be doing wrong?
I have a dog (microchipped free by the PDSA last year,organised by the council) which my son cares for, he never takes the dog out without a couple of plastic bags, and very rarely lets him off his lead, and as had to fend off other dogs that have been left to roam wild.
Lets have a dog warden collecting them off the streets and the owners made to pay for their food, stay and return from the kennels.
It is fair for dog owners to
It is fair for dog owners to enjoy their relationships with there pet but equally it is fair for people to choose not have them imposed on there life when in public areas.
Both my young children love dogs but do not like it when a dog they do not know approaches them which is not on a lead in the public park. Controlling dangerous dogs, breeds or owners is an avoidance of the issue.
A dog is not deemed to be dangerous until it has done something to deserve that title which is often too late.
An owner likewise.
I argue that ALL dogs should be on a lead when in public not just specific zones (except for specially designed dog parks). The smoking ban is a good example on how to protect public health.
Why should we breathe in someone else’s smoke in public areas and intern why should dog owners impose their animal on people and leave them feeling nervous, fearful and made to feel guilty for feeling that way in a so called dog loving country.
Not everyone loves dogs. Be fair.
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