The current approach to dog control is plagued with deep structural problems, according to a report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee of MPs.
A patchwork of legislation should be consolidated into a single Dog Control Act, according to the committee. The MPs called for an independent review into the factors behind dog aggression and attacks, and whether banned breeds pose an inherently greater threat. Some legal breeds can pose just as great a risk to public safety as illegal breeds, they suggested.
Neil Parish, chair of the committee, said: “The Government’s current strategy for tackling dangerous dogs is well intentioned but misguided. Existing laws and the breed ban have not stemmed the rising tide of injuries and deaths from dog attacks. Children and adults are suffering horrific injuries, many of them avoidable. This is unacceptable. The public must be properly protected, and we are therefore calling for a full-scale review of existing dog control strategies.
“We carefully considered the merits of the breed ban under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Our evidence was clear that the law is riddled with inconsistencies, harms animal welfare unnecessarily, and offers false reassurances to policymakers and the general public. All dogs can be dangerous, and we can’t ban all dogs that might one day bite someone. Evidence from across the world shows that the Government should focus instead on encouraging responsible ownership, improving education, and ensuring offenders face robust penalties.
“Some aspects of the law are utterly indefensible. In particular, the ban on transferring Section 1 dogs to new owners is cruel, illogical, and unnecessary. In line with its commitments to improving animal welfare, Defra should repeal the transfer ban for dogs that have been behaviourally assessed and deemed safe. Failure to act will show a calculated disregard for dog welfare.”
Witnesses who gave evidence to MPs included Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard, Lead for Dangerous Dogs for the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). For the report in full visit https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvfru/1040/104002.htm.
Royal Mail reports that 2,275 dog attacks took place on postmen and women across the UK in 2017-18. And while the overall number of UK attacks has reduced in the last year by 8pc, due to a greater understanding through our dog awareness campaigns, it still remains unacceptably high, Royal Mail says.
It offers advice to householders, including:
Dogs are territorial by nature and if they feel they need to protect their family, they can become unpredictable.
Ensure your dog is out of the way before the postman or woman arrives. Place your pet in the back garden or a faraway room.
If you have a back garden, please close off the access, in case your dog could get round to the front when the postman calls.
Dog attacks can happen when you’ve opened the door to sign for an item. Please keep your dog in another room before answering the door and make sure children don’t open the door, as dogs can push by them and attack.
Give your dog some food or a toy to occupy them while your mail is being delivered.
Wait ten minutes after your mail has arrived to let your pet back into your hallway. Keep everything as calm and low-key as possible.
If your dog likes to attack your mail consider installing a wire letter receptacle. It will protect your post, and your postman’s fingers
