Ennvironment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Written evidence submitted by Mrs Lesley McFadyen

I write with reference to the draft clauses on dog control. Like every other concerned person, I do not want to see people being harmed by dogs. Equally I do not want dogs to suffer for their actions if those actions are brought about by irresponsible ownership of the dog. I am Secretary of the East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club, a Kennel Club registered breed club since 1973, and our Club has always worked hard to promote responsible dog ownership.

1.The Act should cover private property, but also that it should exempt a dog and owner from any kind of action if it is made towards a trespasser or anyone acting with criminal intent.

2.Assistance dogs should be protected.

3.Each case should be considered according to the dog’s previous reputation and also whether the owner is considered to be capable of looking after the dog in a responsible manner.

4.There should be increased effort to educate the public about responsible dog ownership, which would include responsible breeding. Irresponsible breeders are the ones that then sell their pups to irresponsible owners. Could there be an addition to the school curriculum for responsible pet ownership? The Kennel Club Safe & Sound Scheme, Blue Cross Blue Dog Scheme and Battersea’s Batt & Zee Scheme are all good templates. Our Club works very hard to promote responsible dog ownership in the local community and via social networking.

5.Introduce a system whereby dog owners are required to comply with basic requirements to allow them to own a dog, and also for all dog breeding to be monitored and controlled. The Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme has recently become UKAS recognised and could be implemented here.

6.We object in the strongest terms to Breed Specific Legislation, which has been proven to be ineffective in stopping dog attacks. Those wishing to own a “certain type of dog” will continue to do so, using misnomers and thus causing problems for legally owned breeds. For this reason we would also like to see the ability for other breeds to be added to the DDA be revoked.

7.Although micro-chipping as a means of reuniting lost and stray dogs, and if it is policed properly and details are legally required to be up to date, it maintains accountability, it doesn’t stop dog attacks.

April 2013