Defra Dangerous Dogs Public Consultation

Submissions:

As the 1st of June deadline approaches if you haven't already participated this is your last opportunity to respond to the Defra public consultation on dangerous dogs and have your say.
 
Online survey or written responses:

You can complete the online questionnaire available on the Defra website or simply email (or post) your comments direct to Defra - you don't have to answer all the questions they have asked or comment on all the proposals they have put forward, so if your 're not sure on, or particularly interested in a specific area, you can concentrate on one proposal or give your opinion on the issues of 'dangerous dogs' in general and cover several options in the one reply. The choice is yours.

We asked Defra for further information on written responses and they provided the following information:

"Firstly I would stress that the survey is simply one way of responding and is in no way favoured above any other form of response. We created the survey as we anticipated a large number of responses and thought a survey would be an easier way for some respondents to tell us their views. It also saves paper.
Responses in the post or by email are equally valid and there is no need to fill in the survey on a paper copy. A letter noting their views is equally valid as a response.

We have created a mechanism on the survey to prevent individuals filling it in more than once (unless they register on it with different email addresses). Therefore, we would not encourage people to fill in the survey and send in a written response. If you feel you cannot adequately express your views using the survey, please respond to the consultation in writing or by email."

Link to the Defra Dangerous Dogs Online Survey here

We have sent in a written response to Defra, for a copy of the EDDR consultation submission, please contact us.

Defra Option 2:

Repeal of breed specific legislation - the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (section 1) is dealt with under this option on the survey.

Defra Option 3:

Option 3 refers to the repeal of the 1997 Amendment Act - it is important to note that this is not the repeal of breed specific legislation.
The 1997 Amendment Act (amending the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991) gave the courts discretion when sentencing - it removed the mandatory destruction of dogs either;
 
- found guilty of being a pit bull type under sec 1 - enabling a dog to be registered onto the Index of Exempted Dogsvia court order
- found guilty of an aggravated offence under section 3 - enabling a control order be issued by the court as an alternative to destruction
 
Repeal of the 1997 Amendment would mean a return to mandatory destruction of dogs found guilty under section 1 or sec 3-for aggravated offences (where injury has been caused).

If you are completing the online survey question 11 will read:

Do you think removing the exemption introduced by the 1997 amendment would allow a more effective enforcement of the current dangerous dogs legislation?

This question is asking you for your opinion on removing the Amendment - the law which allows pit bull type dogs to be registered as an alternative to destruction or any dog found guilty under section 3 (aggravated offence) to be given a control order as an alternative to destruction. Removal of the Amendment would result in a return of mandatory destruction via court orders.

Defra Option 5:

This asks about the compulsory insurance of all dogs. One week after the launch of the consultation the press reported that the Government had dropped the idea of compulsory insurance and written it off as an option. We contacted Defra and asked them to confirm, they replied:

"Respondents can comment on any measure they feel appropriate or have strong views on, including third party insurance. However I would stress that the Government have ruled out the option of compulsory third party insurance for all dog owners. However, we would still be interested to hear any views on whether compulsory third party insurance could be used as part of a Dog Control Notice or other measure."
 
Responding from outside of England & Wales:

We contacted Defra and asked them if the consultation was open to responses outside of England and Wales, they replied;

"Anybody can complete the survey or respond to the consultation, regardless of where they live, there is no block on the IP address according to the location. However, the consultation only applies to dangerous dogs in England and Wales."

If you live in Scotland, Northern Ireland or indeed anywhere you can still send in a response either via email or post to Defra.

For more information go to the Defra web site:

www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/dangerous-dogs/index.htm 

See also - Defra News Release March 2010 - Consultation Launched

Please Visit Our Dangerous Dogs Act Section Here