Following an Alliance motion on dangerous dogs legislation in Northern Ireland, Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew has stated the government is to review its legislation on the matter. Alliance brought the motion with a view to hardening legislation on dog violence, with a particular focus on attacks by dogs on other dogs . As well as reviewing legislation on the issue, the enforcement of current laws is also to be scrutinized in a bid to improve the handling of the issue.
The issue of dog fighting and dog violence has been subject to debate in recent times, with vivid media coverage sparked by the death of 5-year old Ellie Lawrenson who was killed by a pit bull . However, despite the media focus on the danger posed by illegal breeds, Alliance have claimed that the behaviour of individual dogs and their owners should be more closely focused on rather than particular illegal breeds.
