Dangerous dog laws to be reviewed

YouTube: ITN News reports on the announcement; Dangerous dogs laws are to be reviewed in the UK

Every dog owner in the UK could have to take out insurance against their pet attacking someone under new laws. But some experts claim that emphasis needs to be placed on making owners more aware of how dangerous their dogs could be.

The death of four-year-old John Paul
Massey in Liverpool last November 
has put the issue of illegally bred dogs
under the spotlight in the city.

The Home Secretary Alan Johnson has announced a consultation process to review the laws which could also include, according to some reports, every dog in the country being compulsorily microchipped so that their owners can be more easily traced.

Inspector Neil Davies from the Merseyside Police OSU Dog Section says certain dogs, such as pit bull, can be extremely dangerous: "It's like having a loaded shotgun, having one of these dogs.

"The term 'status dogs' is being quoted commonly. That's an apt of description of people who don't own dogs because they want a family pet but they own dogs because they want to intimidate people.

"There should be an emphasis on making dog
owners more responsible. The difficulty we have
is some of these dog owners are just not
responsible and never will be, no matter what."

Inspector Davies has admitted that there has
been a rise in their workload in relation to
dangerous dogs in Liverpool in the aftermath
of John Paul's death. Also, according to the
RSPCA, Merseyside is the fourth worst hotspot
for dog fighting in England.

A recent case in North Wales saw a 17-year-old
girl require plastic surgery after she was savaged by what was described as a “pit bull type dog”.

Police said the dog, thought to be a cross breed, did not appear to banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

It is cases such as these that have also prompted the Home Secretary to announce a review of the Act, which currently makes just four types of dog illegal in England: pit bull terriers; Japanese tosas; dogo Argentinos, and fila Brasileiro

Proposed changes in the law could also include making it illegal for a dog to be dangerously out of control in any place. Presently, the law does not cover private property. It will also propose new anti-social behaviour orders for owners of dogs who are persistently out of control.

Craig Richardson, manager of West Lancs Canine Centre, believes owners have to bear the responsibility when it comes to their dogs: “If you don't make the effort to socialise your dog or understand them properly you may end up with a dangerous dog.

“Dangerous dogs can vary from Shitsus to Great Danes, it's not just specific breeds, it's all around. I think everywhere has a dangerous dog problem.”

In February, an independent report on dog welfare called for the Dangerous Dogs Act to be updated to cover all “dangerous dogs”, not just a few specified breeds.

The British Veterinary Association gave their backing to the report and suggested current laws are not protecting people or dogs.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson; John Paul Massey