Dangerous dog laws to be widened to cover attacks on private land

23 April 2012

Summary:

The government is proposing to extend dangerous dog legislation. Till now, only dog attacks on public land are mentioned in the legislation. In the new proposal attacks on private property will also be prosecutable. And the implant of microchips for dogs will become obligatory. Yearly, about 210.000 people are attacked by dogs in England. Many workers, like postal workers, meter readers, health and social workers are the victims of dogs’ attacks. They are partly not protected in the existing legislation, because 70% of the attacks take place on private property. People who do not keep their dog under control, can expect a fine of £ 5,000, or a two years sentence.

Opinion:

The government’s proposal includes microchipping to all dogs. This would be a very good idea. In that case people, who abandon their dog in their summer vacation, can be traced because their details are in the microchip. Hopefully, lost dogs are easier to find because of the microchip. It is a shame that so many workers are attacked by dogs on private property. The owners should think twice before they take a dog. They should ask themselves: “Can I handle the behaviour of a particular breed of dog?” In the proposal dog owners can be held responsible for their dogs deeds.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/23/dangerous-dog-laws-private-land?INTCMP=SRCH