71% Agree with the Kennel Club - Breed Specific Dog Legislation Should Be Repealed

Nov. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- The Kennel Club is calling on the government to sit up and listen today as Defra’s ‘Summary of Responses to the Consultation on Dangerous Dogs’ reported that 71% of respondents called for breed specific legislation to be repealed.

The Summary, which encapsulates the responses to the 40 questions asked by Defra in its consultation of March of this year, highlights that which welfare organisations and the dog owning public have been campaigning for since the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was introduced.

The Act, which bans four breeds and their types including the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero has long been cited as one of the worst pieces of legislation ever brought into force.

The Kennel Club runs the secretariat for the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group, which includes representatives from organisations including Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Blue Cross, Dogs Trust and Wood Green Animal Shelter, as well as veterinary organisations and local authorities. The study group has been considering issues surrounding dangerous dogs for some time, and recently produced the Dog Control Bill currently progressing through the House of Lords which seeks to repeal breed specific legislation and place more liability on irresponsible dog owners.

The Kennel Club’s Communications Director, Caroline Kisko said: “The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was a kneejerk piece of legislation which was rushed through in haste. It has not reduced the number of Pit Bull Terriers in this country, nor has it reduced the number of dog biting attacks.

“It has however had a huge impact on the welfare of many dogs and has made certain breeds even more attractive to own for the irresponsible. Doing away with breed specific legislation would remove the ‘cache’ that these dogs currently have.

“Recent incidents involving un-stereotypically ‘dangerous’ breeds highlight the need for urgent new legislation which protects the public from all aggressive dogs, regardless of breed.

“The Kennel Club welcomes this Consultation Summary and believes that it represents an urgent call to action to which the government must now respond. We hope that they will work with us and the Dangerous Dogs Act Study Group to ensure any new legislation is properly considered and puts greater emphasis on both animal welfare and the actions of irresponsible owners, whilst better protecting the public.”

ENDS

25th November 2010
[434.10]

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