Dangerous dogs laws need to change
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The Kennel Club is urging the government to change fatally flawed dangerous dogs legislation following the tragic death of schoolgirl Jade Anderson.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “We are truly saddened to hear about the death of Jade Anderson and our thoughts and deepest condolences go to her family.
“We do not know the specific circumstances surrounding this incident, but the fact that dog related incidents continue to occur highlights how ineffective the current dangerous dogs legislation is.
“We wonder how many more tragedies must take place before the government admits that the breed specific legislation in the Dangerous Dogs Act is fatally flawed, wasting limited police resources on seizing dogs of a particular breed, rather than focusing on dogs of any breed that are out of control. Recent incidents have involved many different breeds, showing that any dog can be dangerous in the wrong hands.
“Breed specific legislation is also having the unintended consequence of turning banned breeds into status symbols, so that they are taken on by the wrong people who train them for the purposes of fighting or aggression.
“We urgently need Dog Control Notices to be introduced, to deal with the owners of dogs that are out of control at the earliest signs of a problem. Recent government proposals to extend section three of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to apply to attacks that take place on private property, as appeared to happen in this case, are welcome, but we stress that children should never be left alone with any dog, regardless of its breed or previous behaviour.”
To find out about the Kennel Club’s dangerous dogs campaign, visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dangerousdogs
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