DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (84/09) issued by
COI News Distribution Service on 16 April 2009
Guidance to help
police and local authorities enforce dangerous dogs law more
effectively and crack down on irresponsible dog ownership has been
published, Environment Minister Jane Kennedy announced today.
Written in association with the police, the RSPCA and local
authorities, the guidance sets out the current law and provides
advice on how the legislation can be used effectively to improve enforcement.
The guidance:
* Provides an outline of the law on dangerous dogs, including an
explanation of 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act and the 1871 Dogs Act;
* Sets out best practice for the main enforcement authorities:
the police and local authorities;
* Provides guidance on identifying pit bull terrier-type dogs; and
* Provides examples of existing local initiatives.
Ms Kennedy said:
"Dogs play an important role in our communities so it's
vital that people feel safe when they see dogs out and about with
their owners.
"This guidance will ensure that the legislation which aims
to tackle irresponsible dog ownership is enforced effectively by
setting out both the current law and best practice for enforcement agencies.
"We undertook a significant review of the legislation with
the police in 2007 and it was clear that, while the legislation
was sound, more needed to be done to raise awareness of the law
and improve enforcement. This guidance is the latest part in our
strategy to do just that.
"We believe that better enforcement of the current law,
ideally though local partnerships, will be far more effective at
tackling the problem of dangerous dogs than amending it."
Notes to Editors:
1. The guidance can be viewed:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/domestic/dogs.htm).
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