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The rise in the number of attacks on people by dangerous dogs is now a "national calamity" that must be addressed with urgency, the Commons has heard.
Andrew Rosindell (Con, Romford) has urged for compulsory micro chipping of all dogs as puppies and the Dangerous Dogs Act to be replaced.
He said banning a handful of breeds would not solve the problem of dogs terrorising parks, estates and streets.
A "deed not breed" approach should be taken instead with regard to new laws.
He told MPs: "Inner city areas in particular are being blighted by the intimidating sights of individuals and gangs brandishing dogs that have been deliberately trained to produce the most aggressive demeanour possible."
Introducing the Dog Control and Welfare Bill to the Commons, Rosindell said there had been a 12-fold increase in complaints to the RSPCA about violent dogs and 100 people were attacked every week.
He said: "It would be no exaggeration to claim this is now a national calamity both in terms of public safety and animal welfare.
"As a result it is clear that the current legislation has failed on an epic scale. There is now a huge public desire for new laws that address this problem with owners properly held to account."
And he said dog attacks on private property had to be made a criminal offence as that was where many took place.
Under current regulations the owner is only committing an offence should an attack occur in public or where the dog was not permitted to be.
He added that the freedom to choose to own a dog had to go "hand in hand" with the responsibility that came with it.
The Bill has received cross-party support, but stands little chance of becoming law without government backing.
The Romford MP is often seen around Westminster with his Staffordshire bull terrier, Buster, who accompanies him to work.
Article Comments
I fully agree with all aspects of this. My cat (who was nearly 20) was happily sunning herself on my drive at home on Sunday night until she was chased into my back garden by a Staffordshire bull terrier and killed. The dogs owner was with it and said it slipped its lead......I don't believe this to be the case but I have no proof. The owner got aggressive when I asked my distraught fiancee to phone the police and soon left the scene. The police said it was a civil matter and there was nothing they could do. My poor cat was in her twilight years and the thought that the last 15 seconds of her life were in sheer terror horrifies me and the fact that this irresponsible owner is still wandering the streets (probably still with an inadequate lead and collar) sickens me. I don't blame the dog one bit, after all. dogs chase cats, cats chase mice, that's nature but the owner SHOULD be held accountable, it was his fault that the dog got loose, I would suggest that dogs of a certain breed should be on harnesses, that way there would be no chance of lead slipping would there?
Andy Welch
28th Jul 2010 at 3:00 pm
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