MPA Meeting - Why don't we just kill seized London dogs and save money?

Information, Education & Advice - Helping Dogs In Need

Culling of London Dogs Requested:

At a meeting of the Strategic and Operational Policing Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) on the 13th of May 2010 it was reported that the Metropolitan Police (Met Pl) needed £10.6 million authorised to provide kenneling & care for dogs seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Speaking at the committee meeting Lord Toby Harris, former chairman of the MPA, responded to the cost and asked:

"Why do we kennel these animals in the first place? - Why don't we just put them down?"

Lord Harris went on and said: Why don't we kill them when they are seized?" He wants to know what the cost of that would be as he is not flippant but absolutely serious.

Even more shocking is that it is reported that this sentiment attracted unanimous support from other committee members who agreed that the chair of the MPA Kit Malthouse will now write to the new Home Secretary Theresa May and ask her to 'fast-track culling powers for the Police' in relation to these dogs.

If that wasn't enough of a bomb shell for the average reader, prepare yourself, it gets a lot worse, not only do they suggest that London dogs are killed when seized, Lord Toby Harris, a former chairman of the MPA, said the public would be shocked if they knew of the costs and the Labour Lord suggested that CO19 police officers could shoot some animals if necessary as they do when out-of-control dogs pose an immediate danger.

It is in our opinion disgraceful how blowing out the brains of a dog is seen as a solution and you cannot but wonder what kind of message this sends out about responsible dog ownership, animal welfare and the use of a firearm on a dog in London-what is often described as the capital of the world.

Maybe the MPA would support the return of public executions and have seized dogs shot in public so that the public can see what good work is being done in ridding the capital of 'dangerous dogs' helping to give a real sense of satisfaction and retribution as a blood thirsty crowd looks on and cheers to the last whimpers of a so called status dog ?

Committee members are reported as being astonished with the size of the problem - maybe they should lobby to repeal this ridiculous legislation which is causing dogs to be seized based on their appearance and condemned to death with a tape measure rather than suggesting that defenceless dogs are slaughtered on the streets of London under the banner of breed specific legislation.

Superintendent Julia Pendry, who is responsible for the Metropolitan Police's Status Dogs Unit is reported to have said the force must operate within the law. What has caused public resentment and offence to the families who have suffered under this law is her attitude when she reportedly went on and said:

"It would be absolutely fantastic if we could destroy these dogs."

It can only make you question what kind of mindset these people have when the word 'fantastic' is used to describe the death of a dog? Be it a family pet caught up under the law or a dog which has been abused by an irresponsible owner.

You seriously couldn't make this up could you? A committee is sat round a table discussing ways to kill large numbers of dogs quicker; they after all are those evil 'status dogs' or 'weapon dogs' a label so often used with ease it has now become a trend and is freely thrown about. It is all just so easy to blame everything on a dog rather than to focus on the owners and breeders isn't it?

There are presently over 400 hundred dogs held in met police kennels awaiting their fate, this devastating news has and continues to cause outrage, as it rightly should in the minds of any decent human being.

The Police said they can complete the paperwork needed to destroy a dog within 72 hours but court cases can take years to conclude, of course the right to a fair trial is not seemingly relevant even though you may end up with a criminal record for merely owning a dog, this is 'frustrating'. Yes, apparently it's frustrating that there is a criminal justice procedure that the police have to go through. Never mind about the little details of innocent until proven guilty, even through some dog owners have had that right removed from them under this draconian fit-up of a law.

Mrs Pendry said in most cases police ask owners to hand over control of the animal, enabling police to destroy it within days.

She reportedly added: 'The problem is people getting their front door kicked in at four in the morning are not particularly inclined to help police.'

If you're one of the unfortunate dog owners who gets your family pet ripped away from you screaming in distress with a wire noose cutting into is neck-our advice is don't sign over ownership of your dog until you have taken advice. As despite what it appears these committee members want and how indifferent they seem towards the cherished life of an innocent dog, you deserve to have your say in a court of law - that is PRESENTLY STILL YOUR RIGHT.

The MPA sets and monitors the annual police budget, which is currently £3.6 billion. Approximately 78% is provided by central government, while the rest comes from council tax raise in London by the Mayor. The Chief Executive of the MPA states that their "purpose is to hold the commissioner rigorously to account and to ensure an effective and efficient police service for all London’s communities."

The MPA report details that the number of dogs seized in London has increased by over 110% in the last three years and that there is a need to have 400 kennel spaces available to the status dog unit at any one time with the potential to increase capacity by up to 15% examples given for this are the Olympic Games and the possibility of new legislation being introduced.

The budget for the boarding is a colossal 2.65 million per annum; this has been calculated on an average daily requirement of 400 kennel spaces (approx. £14 - £15 per day per dog). MPA members were asked to approve contracts to nine companies to supply the boarding, transport and veterinary treatment for dogs seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

We have spoken with many dog wardens and police officers who have no liking for this legislation, they don’t want nor enjoy being in the positions breed specific law puts them in, it is as one officer told us a" public relations disaster" and they have better things to be coping with.

Please write to the following and make your voice heard-without your voice, these dogs have no one and we can't let then be culled by heartless bureaucrats who can't get together and work out a new alternative to replace an absurd law which is costing millions of pounds of our money.

Millions of pounds to lock up family pets and abused dogs, the young, old, puppies all taken to their deaths and proudly displayed on our televisions being removed for disposal with our hard earned cash. Taxpayers money is used to slaughter the innocents for our failures in society.

BSL must be repealed.

Culling of London Dogs Requested:

Please Visit Our Dog Law Section Here