Written evidence submitted by Miss Rhiannon Owen (DDL0168)
The dangerous dog act has been ineffective in reducing the number of dog bites since the four breeds were listed as prohibited in 1991. Since 1991 there has been a reported number of 30 dog bite fatalities and 21 of the thirty incidences involved dogs which were not a prohibited breed listed in section 1
The police in the united kingdom notably Greater Manchester, Merseyside and West Yorkshire have spent over £500,000 in the last five years on kenneling seized dogs, others are suggested to have invested over £3 million in 2017 alone in kenneling 7000 dogs which had been seized by police, 92% of the dogs which have been seized have been seized on the grounds of phenotypical appearance and measurements resembling what is deemed to fit the phenotype of a prohibited breed. The assessment of whether a dog is deemed to be a prohibited breed by a dog legislation officer in itself is subjective given that there are not currently effective genetic and DNA profiling which may be use reliably to determine the breed of the dog in question. Assessment of suspected type dogs is also subjective as it is well established that a dog’s conformation is a result of multiple factors including diet, environment, exercise as well as parental genetic and natural variation. The use of measurements of height is neither a reliable way of assessing a dog as similarly with humans it is very uncommon for all puppies from a single litter to be the same height, weight and appearance due to natural variation therefore if the system were to continue a more objective means of assessment is required before continued enforcement of S1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
The UK taxpayer currently has to pay to kennel seized dogs with each average dog seized costing around £650 which increases as the dog is kenneled for a longer duration of time, this money could be put to better use by educating school children how to behave safely around dogs, educating dog owners in how to be a responsible owner and other much needed improvements in improving road surfaces, assisting disabled, elderly and homeless people as opposed to kenneling dogs which have not been involved in illegal activity or inflicted harm on the public.
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Kenneling can be a very stressful and detrimental situation for dogs particularly where the dog may have had limited durations away from their owner, left alone or experiences separation anxiety, I talk from experience from working with dogs temporarily kenneled away from their owner for routine operations within a veterinary environment and when working with dogs in a boarding and rescue kennels, dogs can become highly anxious and may show stress signs of loss of appetite, constant vocalization-barking, whining, howling, panting and restless behavior, others when bored may exhibit more concerning abnormal stereotypical behaviors particularly when kenneled for a long duration for instance tail chasing, self harm, pacing, pica and unprovoked aggression and kennel guarding. Facts show that some of the dogs which have been seized have spent prolonged durations held in kennels the longest being for 2 years and 8 months, which is a long duration of time which is unnecessary.
There is a common perception which has been further exacerbated by the media that the type of people who would choose to own a dog for instance a pit bull or prohibited type, would be involved in drug gangs, dog fighting and other illegal activity as well as the dog being trained to be aggressive and used as a status symbol. Whilst it is true that some people do own these dogs for such purpose has there been any consideration that the reason that these dogs are favorable to such individuals is likely to be due to the fact that they are prohibited by law and therefore makes them furthermore desirable to be used as status symbols?. These people represent minority of bull breed owners similar to how the minority of terrorists happen to be Muslims. The law affects both the irresponsible AND the responsible owners and the responsible owners consequently must be a victim of a crime which they have done nothing wrong. Section 1 has also lead to 91 dogs at Battersea Rescue to be euthanased on the ground of being suspected type dogs, Battersea suggested that 71% of these dogs were suitable temperament wise to be rehomed to a loving and forever home, yet this law has meant that these dogs have been needlessly destroyed. All animals have the ability to bite and defending themselves and what’s to say that a type dog bite is any less serious to the public than a jack Russell or a smaller dog. One law should apply to all dogs and all owners.