The Kennel Club has welcomed the commitment to improve dangerous dog law in the coming year’s legislative timetable, announced during the Queen’s Speech yesterday (Wednesday).

The organisation supports the general principles cited of encouraging responsible dog ownership and strengthening the law for tackling dogs that are dangerously out of control, and hopes to see improved measures to more effectively break patterns of bad behaviour and tackle the other end of the lead: the owners themselves.

“The introduction of measures such as penalties for keepers of dogs who allow them to harm lawful visitors to their home is a positive step in curbing irresponsible dog ownership and encouraging better control of dogs," said Kennel Club Secretary Caroline Kisko.

“At the same time though, the Kennel Club does not wish to see such protection extended to anyone involved in unlawful activity. After meeting the Defra Minister, Lord de Mauley and his team, we are reassured that the department have taken our comments on board and will address them accordingly.

“The original Dangerous Dogs Act was drafted as an urgent response to a perceived political and social crisis and is cited by many as one of the worst pieces of legislation because it has failed in its attempt to control dangerous dogs whilst also making the welfare of individual dogs worse.  The Kennel Club’s primary aim is to ensure that any new legislation relating to dog control both strengthens and improves current provisions to better protect the public and improve the welfare of dogs.”

For more information on the Kennel Club’s campaign regarding dangerous dog legislation visit: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dangerousdogs.