The Dangerous Dogs Act is not working! Since 1991 the number of dog attacks has increased, resulting in many cases of serious injury and also a number of deaths.
Section 1 prohibits the ownership of certain types of dogs, (unless they are exempted on the Index of Exempt Dogs) and was intended to have a preventative effect. It has proved ineffective in keeping the public safe from dangerous dogs. Since the Act came into effect thousands of dogs have been destroyed. Many of these dogs have been family pets that have never shown any aggression to humans or other animals. Dogs have been wrenched from the loving arms of their families and kept in undisclosed (and in some cases questionable) locations for weeks, months and in some case years whilst awaiting court rulings to determine whether they are ‘type’ and possibly pose a danger. Families have been refused contact, unable to visit or have news of their beloved pets causing extreme distress. Kennelling and court cases are also costing a huge amount of taxpayers money. Prosecutions can be brought before a Court based on just the physical characteristics of the dog i.e. what it looks like. Parentage is irrelevant. Pups from the same litter have been assessed differently, some deemed ‘type’ and others not. Dogs such as Labrador crosses can fit the physical attributes of BSL, as in the case of Lennox. (Killed by Belfast City Council after more than 2 years incarceration). ‘Experts’ have been unable to agree to what constitutes ‘type’ and possibly under qualified and inexperienced persons are making life or death decisions. Protesters against the unjust and ineffective DDA are calling for the Department of Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to make changes and focus on irresponsible ownership targeting those who train or allow their dogs to pose a danger to the public and not well behaved, good natured, loving family pets. Any dog could potentially be dangerous in the wrong hands and it is those hands that the law should apply to. The law needs to address the acts of individual dogs and not dogs that may just look a certain way. DEED NOT BREED! On 14th July well attended protests were held in London, Brighton, Glasgow, Cardiff and Manchester, raising awareness of the public and obtaining much support and many petition signatures. On 28th July as well as Nottingham there will be further protests in Manchester and Cardiff. Also on 4th August – Wolverhampton, 6th October – Peterborough with further protests being planned in Bristol, London Sheffield and Birmingham. Worldwide events will take place on 13th July 2013. For further information please contact: Pauline Cole Tel: 07922 115537 Email: paulinemm@btinternet.com
Section 1 prohibits the ownership of certain types of dogs, (unless they are exempted on the Index of Exempt Dogs) and was intended to have a preventative effect. It has proved ineffective in keeping the public safe from dangerous dogs. Since the Act came into effect thousands of dogs have been destroyed. Many of these dogs have been family pets that have never shown any aggression to humans or other animals. Dogs have been wrenched from the loving arms of their families and kept in undisclosed (and in some cases questionable) locations for weeks, months and in some case years whilst awaiting court rulings to determine whether they are ‘type’ and possibly pose a danger. Families have been refused contact, unable to visit or have news of their beloved pets causing extreme distress. Kennelling and court cases are also costing a huge amount of taxpayers money. Prosecutions can be brought before a Court based on just the physical characteristics of the dog i.e. what it looks like. Parentage is irrelevant. Pups from the same litter have been assessed differently, some deemed ‘type’ and others not. Dogs such as Labrador crosses can fit the physical attributes of BSL, as in the case of Lennox. (Killed by Belfast City Council after more than 2 years incarceration). ‘Experts’ have been unable to agree to what constitutes ‘type’ and possibly under qualified and inexperienced persons are making life or death decisions. Protesters against the unjust and ineffective DDA are calling for the Department of Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to make changes and focus on irresponsible ownership targeting those who train or allow their dogs to pose a danger to the public and not well behaved, good natured, loving family pets. Any dog could potentially be dangerous in the wrong hands and it is those hands that the law should apply to. The law needs to address the acts of individual dogs and not dogs that may just look a certain way. DEED NOT BREED! On 14th July well attended protests were held in London, Brighton, Glasgow, Cardiff and Manchester, raising awareness of the public and obtaining much support and many petition signatures. On 28th July as well as Nottingham there will be further protests in Manchester and Cardiff. Also on 4th August – Wolverhampton, 6th October – Peterborough with further protests being planned in Bristol, London Sheffield and Birmingham. Worldwide events will take place on 13th July 2013. For further information please contact: Pauline Cole Tel: 07922 115537 Email: paulinemm@btinternet.com
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