MP to Introduce New Dog Legislation

Tue, 24 Mar 2009

MP for Hillsborough, Angela Smith, is attempting to introduce new legislation making it easier to prosecute dog owners following an attack. Presently, prosecutions of animal owners can be difficult to secure unless dog attacks occur in a public place, with numerous pet owners sidestepping charges on the grounds that their animals attacked the victim on private land . This new bill would change that, and has gained support particularly from postal workers . There have been a number of high profile dog attacks in recent years, though on a number of occasions dog owners have been able to overturn destruction orders to keep their pets alive.

The Communication Workers Union, which represents postal workers, and the RSPCA have voiced their support for the bill. MP Angela Smith said, ‘If you are bitten or mauled by a dog in someone's garden or house it is very difficult to take action against the owners of the dog. I feel this is not right. Owners need to be made to be responsible for the dogs no matter where the dog is. Recently there have been for too many cases of visitors to people's homes being attacked by dogs with the owners getting away scot-free. This is not acceptable and would like to see measures put in place to make sure owners take full responsibility for their dogs wherever they are.’

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