Thursday July 2, 2009, 11:39 am



The RSPCA is supporting the Ten Minute Rule Bill proposed by Angela Smith MP (Sheffield Hillsborough) yesterday, which recommends that dog owners be made legally responsible for their pets being dangerously out of control in both public and private places.

If the new parliamentary Bill is passed as law, it would also mean that dogs currently banned under section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act could be placed on the exempted register without being seized.

Although we remain opposed to breed specific legislation, this would ensure the better welfare of the dog and prevent the animal spending time in kennels while the exemption process takes place.

Current law only applies to public places
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 currently only applies to public places and makes it difficult to hold an owner accountable if their dog injures, or even kills, a person or another animal in a private home or garden.

The Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Bill would change that by making dog owners legally responsible for their animals in both public and private places.

Dangerous Dogs Act is a 'flawed and outdated law'
Claire Robinson, RSPCA government relations manager, said: "By putting more legal emphasis on dog owners rather than their pets, The Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Bill is a step in the right direction, which we strongly welcome.

"In so many instances, the biggest problem of all is with the person at the other end of a dog's lead, rather than the animal itself.

"However, the RSPCA remains opposed to breed specific legislation and believes it is time the government took a closer look at the issue and replaced what is a flawed and outdated law."

What happens now?
The Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Bill was read in the House of Commons yesterday (Wednesday, 1 July 2009). If the Bill is approved by the House of Commons at its first reading stage, it will go on to receive a second reading.

The Communication Workers' Union (CWU) and Royal Mail have already given their backing to the Bill. The CWU is campaigning on this issue after it was estimated that 5,000 postal workers require medical treatment for dog bites every year.

Putting legal emphasis on owners rather than dogs
We have long stated our desire for the law to put more emphasis of responsibility on dog owners, rather than penalise specific breeds.

Earlier this year, we supported Lord Redesdale's Dog Control Bill, which also takes the emphasis away from specific breeds and makes owners more accountable for their pets in public and private places.

The Bill received cross-party support at its second reading in the House of Lords in April.

Thursday July 2, 2009, 11:42 am
hmmm... thanks Cher!

Thursday July 2, 2009, 11:57 am
"We have long stated our desire for the law to put more emphasis of responsibility on dog owners, rather than penalise specific breeds.

Earlier this year, we supported Lord Redesdale's Dog Control Bill, which also takes the emphasis away from specific breeds and makes owners more accountable for their pets in public and private places. "

This is the way to go about it. Thanks Cher