New Summary of Responses to the Consultation on Dangerous Dogs

Overwhelming Support For Deed Not Breed In Dangerous Dogs Consultation, UK

The government has published the results of the Defra consultation on dangerous dogs revealing overwhelming support for an overhaul of the failed Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

The consultation closed in June and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) submitted a joint response based on sound scientific evidence and expert veterinary opinion. The response called for an end to breed-specific legislation that targets dogs based on the way they look rather than their actions.

The BVA and BSAVA are delighted with the summary of the 4,250 responses published today that reveals:

- 88% of respondents do not believe that current legislation is effective in protecting the public;
- 71% believe that breed-specific legislation should be repealed;
- 84% are in favour of all dogs being microchipped.

Commenting, Harvey Locke, President of the BVA, said:

"There is enormous support amongst experts in dog health and welfare for an end to the failed breed-specific legislation.

"The Coalition Government's programme promised to take action on dangerous dogs and Ministers must now take on board the strong views from this consultation to implement changes.

"The problems caused by dangerous dogs impact on public safety and animal welfare and maintaining the status quo is not an option."

Grant Petrie, President of BSAVA, added:

"The problem of dangerous dogs will not be solved until the government accepts that the Dangerous Dogs Act has failed. This view is supported by the thousands of responses to the consultation.

"The support for repeal of the Act and for compulsory microchipping of dogs are clear and we look forward to hearing Defra's plans in the New Year."

Notes

1. The summary of responses to the consultation is available on the Defra website.

Source:
British Veterinary Association

The consultation sought views on seven possible options:
1.
An extension of the criminal law (ie section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991) to all places, including private property;
2.
Additions or amendments to (including possible repeal of) section 1 of 1991 Act (breed specific legislation);
3.
Repeal of the Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997 to prevent any more dogs being added to the Index and introducing a mandatory destruction order;
4.
The introduction of Dog Control Notices;
5.
A requirement that all dogs are covered by third-party insurance;
6.
A requirement that all dogs, or puppies, are microchipped; and
7.
More effective enforcement of the existing law, including a consolidation of existing statutes into one new updated Act.


To facilitate comments, the consultation asked forty questions about the seven options.

List of organisations that responded

Animal Concern Advice Helpline
Association of British Insurers
Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors
Association of Residential Managing Agents Limited
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Blue Cross
Bradford Metropolitan District Council
British Association for Shooting & Conservation
British Horse Society
British Veterinary Association/British Small Animal Veterinary Society
Camden Borough Council
Camden Community & Police Consultative Group
Canine99
Canine Care & Control UK
Cats Protection
Chester Cat Care
Communication Workers Union
Countryside Alliance
Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group
Dogs Trust
East Hampshire District Council
Greater London Authority
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Haringey Borough Council
Lambeth Borough Council
Local Authorities Co-ordinating Regulatory Services
League Against Cruel Sports
Leicestershire & Rutland Bridleways Association
Lewisham Borough Council
Manchester City Council
Metropolitan Police Service
National Animal Welfare Trust
National Dog Tattoo Register
National Dog Warden Association
National Farmers Union
National Gamekeepers Organisation
NHS National Counter Fraud & Security Management Service
National Working Terrier Federation
Naturewatch
Northamptonshire Animal Welfare Liaison Group
PDSA
Pet Care Trust
Pet Detect
Pet Education, Behaviour & Training Council
RBS Insurance
Rochford District Council
Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
Royal College of Nursing
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Royal Mail
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Self Help Group
South Coast Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue
Tenant Farmers Association
Tendring District Council
The Kennel Club
Tonbridge & Malling District Council
Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
University of Bristol Companion Animal Group
Wakefield Council
Wandsworth Borough Council
West Midlands Police
Wokingham Borough Council
Wood Green Animal Shelters
World Society for the Protection of Animals
Wyre (Lancs) Agility Club