Written evidence submitted by Ms Claire Wheeler (DDL0128)
I am writing this in submission to the question "does the current UK dangerous dogs law adequately protect its citizens."
The evidence clearly shows that it fails misserably and that breed specific legislation is a bad idea for a number of reasons.
Rather than see attacks lessen, 38 people have been killed by dangerous dogs since the introduction of bsl, yet 28 were not of breeds prohibited under the act. This is especially shocking, when you take into account, the fact that pit bull type isn't even a breed. it's just a set of measurements that can encompass almost any short haired cross that happens to have either a bit of muscle or a wide head. So the actual numbers of bullbreeds in those statistics could even be lower as a mastiff X Labrador could be deemed type as could many other crosses and they often do. It is truly shocking to look at the range of dogs seized.
But to those of us who research this issue, it's of no surprise that so few bullbreeds are represented in those numbers, as the vast majority of dog experts agree, the appearance and breed of a dog are of little significance when it comes down to dog attacks.
The situation's and scenario's can be so varied and seem so unprovoked to bystander's who may have missed the cues, that it seems ludicrous to me, that we do not spend more time effort, and money on research Into these attacks and the dogs that commit them themselves. And by doing so learn how to avoid them in future. Also by putting so much emphasis on the dog, rather than its treatment, upbringing and background, we look to the wrong end of the lead in many cases
lessons we already know, are how formative early experience's are, so therefore it is essential that we ban puppy farms And the import of sickly pups taken too early from mum as these are likely the biters of the future.
We know that abused dogs are more likely to attack, so tough laws on abuse and education on proper care are essential.
we know that hormones can drive issues so spay/neuter.
and we know that dogs that are chained or kept away from the family or dogs owned by status dog lovers leaving a dog with Grandma and children around can be an issue understandably too. So dogs not being kept under control by thier primary care giver.
Rather than this knee jerk law that makes people too relaxed around perceived soft breeds and often sees bullbreeds with little or no protection from those who would set out to abuse them. So many miss out on basic vet care for fear of dogs being seized that these poor dogs end up getting it from every angle.
To see dogs badly abused and then left in kennels because of a stupid law that says they might be viscious, even after they have endured horrendous abuse and didn't even retaliate to thier abuser is just one aspect that sickens me. Seeing dogs spend almost half Thier lives in kennels sometimes, while courts and police take easy prey family dogs, rather than go after the dog fighters makes me loose faith in our countries level of compassion and insight into matters it governs over.
It's time to admit that the law does not work and a dogs appearance is not of importance. Teaching the next generation compassion, while killing dogs for the way they look is not going to cut it. Be the example you want to lead by.