Dangerous Dogs Act

Defra response - welfare of seized dogs:

We encourage you to write to DEFRA and your own MP on the issue of dogs seized and held under the Dangerous Dogs Act legislation, their welfare and needs whilst kenneled and awaiting their fate.

Please keep writing and sending your letters in as this all helps to bring attention to this issue, we, along with other groups, intend to continue to raise our concerns for as long as it takes until changes are made for the better.

For ideas or to use our template letter - please click here

The most recent response (September 2008) received by us states the following:

From: DEFRA

To: Endangered Dogs Defence & Rescue Ltd

WELFARE OF IMPOUNDED DOGS

It is obviously distressing for a pet owner to be separated from their pet; however, we do believe that the current system works proportionately.

In your letter you suggest that there should be regular inspections of the kennels which hold dogs which have been seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. We do not believe that additional inspections are necessary as there is already sufficient legislation in place.

Dogs seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act are primarily protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Under the Act, any person who is responsible for a dog has a duty to ensure its welfare needs are met. In addition, it is an offence to cause any captive animal unnecessary suffering. Any person or organisation may initiate criminal proceedings under the Animal Welfare Act where there is reason to believe that unnecessary suffering has been caused or an animal’s welfare needs are not being met.

Further, all kennels which are in the business of providing accommodation for other people’s dogs need to be licensed under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963. In deciding whether to grant a license, regular inspections of premises are carried out by local authority officers or veterinary surgeons authorised by the local authority. During the inspection, particular regard must be paid to the suitability and security of the accommodation, ensuring that the animals will be fed, exercised and protected from disease and fire.

Licenses must be renewed annually and will not be granted to anyone who has previously been disqualified from running such an establishment, or from keeping any animal. It is an offence to run a boarding establishment without a licence or if any conditions at a boarding kennel are not complied with.

If any person has any evidence that conditions at a boarding kennel are not acceptable, they should report this to the appropriate local authority which will have powers to inspect the premises.

With regard to your request to have further discussions as to whether it would be better to leave pet dogs at home – it is important to note that it is for the local authorities and the police to decide whether, in the light of the circumstances of each case, to return a dog to its owner while waiting for the court case. A factor that can be taken into account in reaching this decision is the undesirability of keeping dogs in custody as long as the dog is not thought to pose a threat to public safety.

I hope this information provides you with some reassurance regarding this issue.

Margaret Branson
DEFRA

Please Visit Our Dangerous Dogs Act Section