Ennvironment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Written evidence submitted by Mandy Sullivan

I feel the need to comment on the above amendment. Whilst I agree that the dangerous dogs act needs looking into, I fail to see in what way this new proposed draft helps. From my point of view you are just going to demonise dog owners further.

As expected it will make it an offence for a dog to be “dangerously out of control” in a private place. Dangerously out of control is when a person feels reasonable fear of injury even if the dog does not injure them.

So anyone who does not like dogs just has to report to the authorities that they feel scared & a whole swathe of dogs can be rounded up & destroyed.

Current list of banned breeds. Since these breeds have been banned have the dogs attacks stopped? No! It is not the breed of dog that makes it dangerous but the owner at the other end of the lead.

“In the 70s they blamed Dobermans; in the 80s Rottweilers; in 90s German Shepherds; now they blame Pitbulls. When will they blame the humans?”

Compulsory microchipping should be brought in immediately, along with compulsory dog training, and ban all dog breeding for at least three years so at least we can attempt to bring the current dog population under control.

April 2013