Pet Advisory Committee (UK)
www.petadvisory.org.uk

Dangerous dogs

Policy: PAC supports legislation to control dangerous dogs and protect the public. The Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Act 1997 is welcomed as a progressive improvement on the 1991 legislation, following the lobbying of the PAC in conjunction with the DDA Reform Group. PAC believes that any legislation should judge the individual dog by its deeds and not its breed. PAC deplores the introduction of new and draconian breed specific legislation in other countries and requests the government to vigorously object to the introduction of any such legislation by the EU.

Background: Prior to the introduction of the DDA in 1990, there were a number of high profile cases of serious dog attacks on humans. Children were "tossed about like rag dolls" and most serious examples of dogs biting humans were recorded in the press. Curiously the death of an adult from a dog attack at this time received less publicity than many less important cases.

The Government responded to public outrage at the items reported in the papers by producing the DDA. There are many good things within this Act, but it has itself received a bad press because it was a breed specific piece of law. All dogs bite, and it is regarded as important that proper advice is offered to dog owners regarding the risks involved in keeping animals. Awareness of possible outcomes would help reduce the bad name given to animals by people who are often ignorant of the risks, but who invariably blame the animal for any outcome affecting their own well-being.

It is important that good enforcement is seen to operate. Owners who do not take sufficient care and who do not behave with responsibility should be brought to book. Whereas it is sometimes necessary to euthanase animals, it is also advantageous to consider appropriate action against irresponsible owners.

Responsible pet ownership remains a key operational belief of this Committee.
What is evident is that where no actions are taken to improve areas of known disharmony, it is inevitable that this results in strong action being taken to counteract a known position. If "draconian" legislation is to be avoided, it is vital that irresponsibility is taken much more seriously, and where needed strong enforcement action brought to bear against the transgressors.

About PAC – For further information – see their web site:

The Pet Advisory Committee (PAC) was established in 1974 as the Joint Advisory Committee on Pets in Society (JACOPIS), a title held until 1992. The President of PAC is Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior and the Committee has seven Vice-Presidents - Roger Gale MP, Andrew Stunell MP, Tim Loughton MP, Ian Cawsey MP, Dr Nick Palmer MP, Caroline Jackson MEP and Robert Evans MEP. The Chairman is Mr. Lou Leather a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

PAC is unique as it is made up of major animal welfare charities, veterinary organisations, environmental health, local authority and trade associations. Its remit is to examine the role of companion animals in society and to make recommendations to central and local government as to how pets can best fit into the environment, in the interests of the animal, its owner and the wider community.