The Government’s response to the Efra committee on the Dangerous Dogs Act

Neil Parish MP, the Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, has commented on the Government’s response to the Controlling Dangerous Dogs Report:

“This is a welcome move towards improving the effectiveness of dog control as current laws and the breed ban have not stemmed the rising tide of injuries and deaths from dog attacks. The Committee looked at the effectiveness of breed specific legislation and identified several areas for improvement to protect the public more effectively.

“We’re pleased that the Government has committed to commissioning research to review the effectiveness of current dog control measures, such as working with the Metropolitan Police and the National Police Chiefs’ Council to set up a central dog attack database, and to developing a childhood education plan. Children have suffered horrific, and in some cases, avoidable injuries. This is unacceptable when simple education could prevent life changing injuries.

“However, there is much more work to be done to create a truly fair system. There must be more focus on the owner and not the breed. The destruction of a dog based purely on its breed is cruel and often unnecessary.

“Although the Government recognises the importance of improving how dangerous dogs are identified and controlled, today’s response is not a solution, but is a step in the right direction.

“The Committee look forward to hearing from David Rutley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Food and Animal Welfare, on 6 February.

“This will present a great opportunity to discuss a range of topics, including how Defra plans incorporate the Committee’s recommendations on dangerous dogs and make the system better for everyone, owner and canine alike.”

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvfru/1892/1892.pdf