Dog Control Legislation

EDM number 457 in 2009-10, proposed by Angela C Smith on 14/12/2009.
Categorised under the topic of Animals.

That this House recognises that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is not working; notes with alarm that 5,221 victims needed hospital treatment last year as a result of dog attacks; further notes that 6,000 postal workers were attacked last year while going about their duty, and that five children have been killed in the last three years by dog attacks; considers that fresh legislation is needed to tackle the increasing use of dogs as weapons by gang members; believes that new dog control legislation is also required which puts the emphasis on the owner, not the dog or the breed, and which allows for early intervention by the police in order to prevent out of control dogs endangering people and animals alike, making use of devices such as control notices and dog control orders; further recognises that this approach should involve giving police the powers they need to take stringent action against the very worst cases of irresponsible dog ownership, including fines, imprisonment and the `three Ds' of disqualification orders, deprivation orders and destruction orders; further believes that the ability to prosecute the owners of dogs who attack and cause serious injury should be extended to cover attacks on private property, with appropriate protection for dog owners against attacks on trespassers and burglars; further recognises that legislation should be accompanied by increased resources for dog ownership education in order to increase responsible dog ownership; and calls on the Government to deal with this as a priority and for all political parties to make a manifesto commitment to dealing with this problem.

This motion has been signed by a total of 72 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.