Call for tougher dog ownership laws
25th August 2010
Ministers have been urged to strengthen laws on dog ownership to offer more protection to members of the public and workers, as well as the animals.
A coalition of 20 groups, including animal charities and trade unions, claimed current legislation is "inadequate" and called for tougher action against irresponsible dog owners.
The government is currently consulting on dog legislation following a series of high profile cases, with respondents expressing concern about issues including dangerous breeds, neglect, and owners' failure to buy adequate pet insurance.
The statement, sent to Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and acting leader of the Opposition Harriet Harman, said: "We believe that irresponsible dog ownership, whether it is allowing dogs to stray, be dangerously out of control or indiscriminately breeding them, causes significant problems for the safety and welfare of both humans and animals. Current legislation is proving inadequate in many cases to ensure sufficient protection.
"We believe that both the provision of sufficient resources at a local level for local authorities and the police, and updated and consolidated legislation that has a genuine preventative effect, are needed to address this problem.
"We call on the coalition Government to act and bring forward legislation that addresses these areas effectively."
Groups signing the statement included the Communication Workers Union, which represents postal staff, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Guide Dogs For The Blind, the Police Federation, the TUC and the RSPCA.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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