Several of the UK’s biggest animal charities have called for an end to the Dangerous Dogs Act, branding it “flawed, outdated and ineffective”.
Introduced in 1991, the legislation banned four breeds of dog in the UK: the Pit Bull terrier, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasileiro. The law states that it is illegal to own, sell, or breed from any of these dogs - but leading animal welfare and veterinary organisations have said that this 31-year-old legislation is not fit for purpose.
The RSPCA , The Kennel Club, Dogs Trust, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and Blue Cross are among those calling for the act to be scrapped. The campaign comes after a concerning rise in the number of dog attacks this year, The Mirror reports .
The RSPCA has launched the #EndBSL (breed-specific legislation) campaign in a bid to get the law changed, with the group of charities forming the Dog Control Coalition to call on the Government to take urgent action to help better protect the public. The Coalition wants to see interventions that focus on safe behaviour around dogs, measures that allow early intervention, and better education on dog bites to help prevent attacks.
RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Sam Gaines insisted that the Dangerous Dogs Act must be repealed and replaced for the sake of both humans and dogs. Dr Gaines said: “We're devastated by the number of fatal incidents involving dogs over recent months and believe it's a clear sign that the current dog control legislation in the UK is flawed, outdated and ineffective.
“What's really concerning are recent calls to expand the list of banned types,” she added. “We need to acknowledge the scientific evidence in this area which has shown that breed is not a good predictor of risk.”
The charities hope that the Government will scrap the part of the legislation that sees dogs banned based solely on their breed. Dogs Trust CEO Owen Sharp said: “We believe in 'deed-not-breed'; dogs should not be judged on what they look like and should have the chance to live a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.”
Becky Thwaites, head of public affairs at Blue Cross, told The Mirror: “Some of these dogs are abandoned and come into our care. We have to legally inform the police, and if they are a banned breed, our hands are tied and we can't rehome them. It's devastating for our vets and nurses who have to put a healthy animal to sleep based on their measurements alone.”
Earlier this month, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) issued a statement following reports of an increase in the number of dog attacks. “Dog attacks can have horrific consequences, which is why it is a criminal offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act to allow any dog to be dangerously out of control, with the police able to seize such dogs,” the department said.
They added: “There have been nine tragic fatalities this year as a result of dog attacks, several of which involving children. We take this disturbing rise extremely seriously and are exploring measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible ownership.”
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