Council Backing New Dog Control Powers

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Bill could increase power to take action against dangerous dogs

The parliamentary Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group (of which WBC is a member) has suggested a raft of new powers that should be made available to councils and the police to deal with dangerous and nuisance dogs. These have been put in a private members bill by Lord Redesdale, which will receive its first reading in the Lords tomorrow.

The proposed legislation would make it an offence to have a dangerously out of control dog, to own a dog that has been used for fighting, or to breed dangerous dogs.

If the rules are broken, the owner may have the dog taken away, or could be forced to have the animal muzzled, neutered or microchipped.  An order may be made to have the dog destroyed and the owner could be banned from owning any more dogs. If the case is serious enough, the owner could even face a prison sentence.

All dangerous and nuisance dogs of any breed will be covered by the bill, not just breeds usually considered potentially dangerous, such as pit bull terriers.

Wandsworth welcomes the bill, and will be pushing for parliament to adopt it. It has already introduced a radical new scheme which starts January 5th that will make microchipping their dog a condition of tenancy for all its tenants and leaseholders.

If these new powers are adopted, it will mean the council will be able to take action against the owners of dangerous dogs that do not live on one of its own estates.

Council leader Edward Lister said Wandsworth was one of the few local authorities in the country that would be able to take advantage of any new laws as soon as they are passed. It has the largest dedicated dog control unit in the country with a large and highly-skilled staff and is already well advanced in taking action to control dangerous dogs.

“The head of our dog unit has been working hard with the other members of the Dangerous Dogs Working Party to think through the best way to enable police and local councils to tackle this problem.

“We can no longer just allow people to own these dogs and let them act in an aggressive way. Something has to be done.  We believe the measures outlined in this bill are the best way forward. Together with our new dog microchipping scheme, they would go a long way towards tackling this problem.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson, said:

“The Kennel Club has been working with Lord Redesdale and a number of other organisations to provide assistance and advice in drafting his Bill.  The current legislation is draconian and severely flawed, and does little to protect the public. Lord Redesdale’s proposals are measured and would do what the Dangerous Dogs Act should have done in the first place, which is to target irresponsible owners.”

 

 

December 12, 2008