Veterinary associations have welcomed the cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee (EfraCom) response to the Government’s draft Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Bill, which calls for preventive measures such as Dog Control Notices, and has called on the Government to think again.

The Committee took on board evidence from the British Veterinary Association and British Small Animal Veterinary Association, as well as a number of key dog welfare organisations and enforcers, and reiterated the call for consolidated legislation on dog control including strong preventive measures.

Whilst consolidated legislation would have been preferable, BVA and BSAVA accept that the Government’s plans are entirely concerned with amending the current legislation under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Both organisations are pleased to note that EfraCom supports the principle of ‘deed not breed’ in terms of not extending the list of banned breed types, since, as the report states, “any dog may become aggressive on an irresponsible owner”.

Commenting, BVA President Peter Jones (left) said: “We are delighted that this cross-party group of MPs has given such strong support for more preventive measures. We all support the proposed changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act but they simply don’t go far enough.=

“Instead of making more mistakes with hastily made legislation we are asking the Government to think again and reconsider introducing Dog Control Notices. DCNs have already been introduced in Scotland and have the support of veterinary surgeons, dog welfare organisations, and enforcers, as well as many parliamentarians.”

Professor Michael Day, President of BSAVA, added: “EfraCom has clearly listened to the contributions made by BVA and BSAVA in this report. There are challenges remaining to make sure that any amendments to the Act are effectively enforced, and so we are glad to see that EfraCom recognises how vital it is that dog warden and enforcement services are properly resourced by local authorities.

“We hope the Government takes the Committee’s report on board and looks again at the legislation.”