The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced the start of a consultation, seeking views on a proposed package of measures aimed at tackling irresponsible ownership of dogs. Defra’s main proposals are:
● Extending the criminal offence of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control to private property (where the dog has a right to be) – without penalising the owners of animals that defend them against trespassers.
● Consulting on whether to micro-chip all dogs to help tackle the problem of irresponsible owners and ease the overwhelming number of strays that are put down as the owner cannot be identified.
● Giving the police more discretion to take common sense decisions by ending an anomaly requiring dogs be seized and kennelled, while a decision is taken on whether to exempt the dog from being destroyed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
● Issuing new guidance to help the courts deal more effectively with seized dogs.
There are also sums provided for projects promoting more responsible dog ownership and for the training of dog legislation officers in police forces.
The above measures are designed to target specific members of society that have brought about an increase in dog "attacks" the measures will protect those who have acted lawfully in defence of themselves or loved ones.
