Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Written evidence submitted by Richard Zakss
I am responding to this as a dog owner, a dog trainer and as someone who has personally been involved in the case of a Section 1 dog (seized for being type and returned on restrictions).
1. To me it doesn’t seem like the government are really interested in solving the current problem we face with irresponsible owners and dangerous dogs. They currently do very little to enforce dog laws (such as dog id tags and lead laws) but seem to concentrate on media led issues, trying to pass blame onto specific breeds and specific groups of people. They seem intent on ignoring advice by many animal welfare organisations and charities and instead follow media and police pressure when deciding laws relating to dogs. I am very dubious that they have the dedication to put in place and enforce any laws that will actually go some way to reducing the number of people killed and injured by dogs.
2. There is defiantly a need for a more fundamental overhaul of dog legislation and its enforcement. In my work as a dog trainer (which is done on a voluntary basis at a well established club) I see all type of problem dogs, all types of breed with owners of a varying degree of competence. I don’t believe that targeting specific breeds or types of dog is beneficial at all. It gives the strong impression that those are the dangerous ones and the others aren’t. All dogs can be dangerous, it depends on how the owner brings it up and deals with certain situations. If the money spent on seizing dogs which looked a certain way but had done nothing wrong, was spent on more proactive prevention this would be a start (I believe this figure to run into the millions). It seems to me that it is only the police who want to keep BSL and I wonder if it is just so they can keep their jobs?
3. Regarding the case of status dogs. In some areas people get dogs to stop themselves being attacked and mugged. If you take their dog away, they will get attacked. I don’t agree with the way some of these dogs are treated and raised but if the police can’t offer protection then I can’t blame people for finding other ways. More work should be done with these groups to show them the positive side of owning a dog, the companionship and loyalty and dedication, in fact, I think dogs can be used to teach these kids responsibility and compassion. Instead we villainies these dogs, now any large muscular dog is seen as a “status dog” who people will cross the road from when really they may be a well behaved responsible dog. I own a Staffy and when passing a group of young school children in the park (on lead), quite rightly, the teacher told the children to keep their hands away from my dog. Further down the path the teacher had no problems with letting a Jack Russle run off lead around them. In my opinion the loose dog posed more of a threat to the children than mine did but other people just see stereo types!
4. I agree with compulsory microchipping for all dogs and it is something that should have been done years ago and I believe that this should then lead to a register where dogs can be traced back to the breeders. This would mean that specific cases can be built up on certain dogs and irresponsible breeding can be identified. If the government believe that simply microchipping dogs starting now will make any difference to the number of attacks etc. then they are mistaken. It will be good for rescues and owners as strays can be reunited. Although a good system, it will only solve a small number of problems. People who want to give up their dogs to rescue centres who can’t take them because they are full, can’t let them stray anymore so I wonder what will happen to these poor dogs. If people don’t have the time and dedication to give a dog they shouldn’t own one.
5. Offences committed on private properties should be covered under law but I don’t trust how existing laws are enforced currently so I am sceptical.
6. I am unaware of Defra’s educational approaches. I do not trust them as they have a habit of ignoring information they disagree with and seem to follow their own agenda. I would welcome compulsory puppy classes for all and training for dogs and owners who cause problems. This would be far better than just placing the dog under restrictions which seem to take away their ability to freely exercise and socialise which I believe could make the problem much worse. I don’t know how this educational process would run as there is no legislation on dog training and some trainers do more damage than good.
7. I would like to see more dog wardens and if compulsory microchipping was introduced then you should see a reduction in this problem. However, as most dogs owned by responsible owners are not adhering to current i.d. tag laws, and no one in authority ever checks this, will you ever check if dogs are chipped?
8. Puppy farms should be banned. Puppies should be raised in a home environment to get them ready for their permanent home. Breeding should concentrate on temperament not how they look. Pedigree dog breeders can be as bad as puppy farms. With so many dogs being put to sleep in rescue centres we desperately need some measures to reduce the number of dogs bred, increase their health and temperament and stop people buying dogs on a whim. People should have to attend an awareness course before they can own a dog which will help them decide what dog to get, where from, how much work will be involved, how much it will cost and maybe they will decide it is all a bit too much for them and not get a dog. Better this than get a dog only to have it destroyed a year later because they couldn’t cope with it or because it bit a child.
9. Repeal Section 1. End Breed Specific Legislation. It is a law that the police and government have to lie about in order to justify to the public that it is doing something to help.
July 2012