Dangerous Dogs Act - Breed Bans

'Dangerous Dogs' debated:

Amidst all the heated debate surrounding the 42 day terror detention law and the detainment of suspects without charge, the subject of ‘dangerous dogs’ was discussed in Westminster as last weeks (June 2008) Topical Debate in the Commons.

‘Dangerous Dogs’ were once again on the westminster agenda , (a more deserving title surely must be ‘Dangerous Owners’ – a point mentioned by Angela Watkinson MP) and the subject was allotted up to 1 ½ hours of parliamentary time.

The big headline news of the week was of course centred around the resignation of MP David Davis in protest at what he felt was another erosion of British freedom.

Davis argues against the ‘slow strangulation’ of fundamental British freedoms by Government.

Which brings to mind the passing of the Dangerous Dogs Act back in 1991 and the reversal of the ‘burden of proof’ under that law.

Surely dog owners also have a right to the fundamental freedoms we hold so dear, but it seems to have yet again gone un-noticed.

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT - dog owners were the first to have their civil liberties removed from them 17 years ago and it’s a slippery slope down!

"Everyone charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law" - unless of course you are a dog owner who has a dog seized as a suspected prohibited dog, then you are GUILTY unless you can prove your innocence.

For further details on the Commons debate click here

Parliamentary Written Question and Answer - Tuesday 17th June

Dangerous Dogs Act: Registration

Q. David Drew (Stroud, Labour) | Hansard source

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the index of exempted dogs to owner-led applications will be re-opened.



A. Jonathan R Shaw (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs) and Minister for the South East), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Chatham & Aylesford, Labour) | Hansard source

No. There are no plans to amend the dangerous dogs legislation to allow owner-led applications.

Please Visit Our Dangerous Dogs Act Section