DOG CONTROL BILL PROCEEDS TO THIRD READING IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS

Dogs Trust, the UK’s biggest dog welfare charity, has today welcomed the news that Lord Redesdale’s Dog Control Bill has passed its Report Stage in the House of Lords and will now receive a Third Reading. The Bill is currently continuing its path through the legislative system after being tabled by Lord Redesdale as a Private Members Bill in 2010.

Supported by the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group (DDASG) of which Dogs Trust is a member, the Dog Control Bill proposes to replace the existing dangerous dog legislation. This includes the repeal of breed specific legislation and tightening the law to make irresponsible owners of all dogs, regardless of breed, more responsible.

In addition to today’s progress, Dogs Trust and DDASG have also been working with other major stakeholders including the Communication Workers Union and Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to produce a joint briefing to present to government which outlines where urgent action must be taken in existing dog legislation to improve huge inadequacies within the law.

Clarissa Baldwin, CEO of Dogs Trust said:

“Dogs Trust is delighted that Lord Redesdale’s bill is continuing to progress through the House of Lords. New legislation is needed that would place more responsibility on the owners of aggressive dogs: the emphasis must be on targeting the actions of irresponsible owners rather than focusing on specific breeds of dogs. People deserve to feel safe around all dogs, yet existing legislation has failed to reduce the number of dog bite incidents.

“A public consultation was issued in March of last year and yet we’re still awaiting an announcement from the government. We’re extremely disappointed that DEFRA are continuing to drag their heels on this issue.”

“The Animal Welfare Minister, Lord Henley, responded to today’s news by saying that the Government is currently considering the ‘right way forward’ and that he hopes to be in a position to make the Government’s position clear when the Dog Control Bill reaches Third Reading. Dogs Trust will be lobbying hard to ensure the ‘right way forward’ is the best approach for dogs, not just politicians.”

Repeals .30The following Acts are repealed—
(a)
the Dogs Act 1871; .
(b)
the Dangerous Dogs Act 1989; .
(c)
the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991; .
(d)
the Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997. .

Success as Dog Control Bill passes report stage in House of Lords

The Government is today being forced to finally sit up and listen after the Dog Control Bill, championed by Lord Rupert Redesdale, the Kennel Club and the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group (DDASG), passed its Report Stage in the House of Lords.

This comes as the DDASG and Lord Redesdale criticised the government for their part in creating the problem of ‘status dogs’ by making them appeal to those wishing to intimidate others and rebel against the existing law.

A word from Lord Redesdale

The Liberal Democrat peer said: “Banning the Pit Bull Terrier in 1991 was a huge mistake; creating a picture to the general public that certain breeds of dog are dangerous and others not is hugely irresponsible. The media has also played its part in demonising certain breeds and making people afraid of them, which has served no purpose but to make them even more attractive to own for the irresponsible. Doing away with breed specific legislation would remove the ‘cachet’ that these dogs currently have and focus on the real problem at the other end of the lead.”