A rise in fatalities from dog attacks has sparked a government reminder to owners to check the strict laws on pet ownership. The Department of Food, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has issued a statement following reports by The Mirror on the increasing number of dog attacks.
The investigation found new dog dealers are being encouraged to make 'monsters' out of powerful dogs to earn £250,000. The number of dog bite deaths have doubled in the last 15 years and this year already nine people have been killed, making it the deadliest year since the first comprehensive records began in 1980.
Among those killed this year have been four children and another four of those deaths involved XL American bullies. It has been estimated there are now 12 million dogs in the UK - two million more than before lockdown.
Defra issued a statement following the report. “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. 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.”
Introduced in 1991, the Dangerous Dogs Act banned four breeds of dog in the UK. These breeds are:
Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro
This means that it is illegal to own these breeds, even if they are not acting dangerously or no-one has complained against them. It is also against the law to sell, abandon, give away or breed from a banned dog. The police or local council have the authority to seize dogs if they belong in this group - and the criteria depends on what the dog looks like, rather than its breed or name. A dog expert will then judge the dog and whether they could pose a danger to the public.
It is the owner’s responsibility to prove that their dog is not a banned type - if you can’t, you may receive an unlimited fine as well as facing up to six months in prison for breaking the law. In some cases a court may decide that the dog is not a danger to the public, in which case the owner will be given a Certificate of Exemption valid for the remainder of its life.
Any dogs who are put onto the Index of Exempt dogs must be neutered, microchipped and kept on a lead and muzzled at all times while out in public. The owner must also take out insurance against the dog injuring other people.
Defra has urged the public to follow the following three key pieces of advice:
Be alert: Always keep an eye on your children around dogs. Never leave them alone together.
Be aware: Dogs use signals to tell us how they feel – What is your dog telling you?
Be safe: Any dog can bite. Accidents happen fast.
