Dangerous Dogs Act News 2007-Index of Exempted Dogs

Nine family pets have been spared the death sentence and ordered by Liverpool Magistrates Court to be returned to their worried owners.

Twelve separate cases under the infamous Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) legislation came before the Magistrates Court on Wednesday 16th May. Three cases have been adjourned until June to allow further evidence to be gathered, the others were relieved in that their dogs are being allowed to live as opposed to facing a court destruction order.

In yet another en-masse DDA hearing, twelve owners gathered at the court, with many not sure what to expect or what the outcome for their incarcerated dog would be. The family pets are all held as ‘pit bull types’ and condemned on account of their looks alone. The court was satisfied that their owners are responsible and that each dog did not represent any danger to the public, the District Judge once again gave instructions for each dog to be released home once the requirements of registration have been met.

Solicitor Trevor Cooper, who specialises in animal law, was present and able to represent owners who needed help, as the proceedings were civil-legal aid had not been available to each dog owner but thanks to the funding provided by the Kennel Club vital legal presentation was provided on the day.

In Court was DeedNotBreed representatives who had travelled to provide much needed support to distraught owners throughout their ordeal and give valuable information to help each dog, some had contacted the DeedNOTBreed telephone helplines and requested assistance once their dogs had been seized.

The Endangered Dogs Defence & Rescue who is experienced with helping registered dogs has offered ongoing assistance once dogs are released from police custody, behavioural professionals are on hand to help dogs; many who return traumatised having endured months confined to a lonely kennel.

Yet again dogs who are being held at huge public expense for months either awaiting court hearings or ‘identification’ assessments are being shown to represent no danger to the public and ordered to be released.

Four dogs have recently tragically died of a deadly disease whilst being held in police appointed kennels and others are known not to be coping with enforced confinement away from their beloved families; much to their owners despair as they are denied day to day contact and have no knowledge of even where their dog is, let alone how their member of the family is managing the crushing boredom in the cold confines of a kennel week after week, some dogs are so stressed out that they can’t eat, lose weight, self mutilate their tails and damage their teeth desperately trying to chew their way through the bars which lock them away from the people they love.

Of the nine dogs spared this time, all are now expected to survive yet more time in costly kennels whilst waiting to be neutered, ID chipped and tattooed, even though it is an fact and has been shown time and time again, case after case that prolonged kennelling and isolation of pet dogs is known to be detrimental to their well being and health; it is desperately about time the Index of Exempted Dogs was opened to allow a dog to be registered without police intervention, expensive kennelling fees and civil legal proceedings, all of which are totally unnecessary and a drain on public funds - funds which could be better spent tacking real crime issues.

If you agree that your money should not be wasted persecuting pet dogs, holding them locked up at a cost of £10-£20 per day per dog, awaiting civil proceedings paid by you, write to your MP today and ask for the Index of Exempted Dogs – the register, to be opened to allow owner-led registration. In the meantime, all dogs currently held and assessed to be of no danger to the public should be immediately released, freeing up valuable resources, resources which can be used to address the real problem – DANGEROUS OWNERS.

EDDR NEWS UPDATE - MAY 2007

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