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Vets Welcome Preventive Approach To Dog Control In Wales

11 years ago
1361 views

Posted
23rd November, 2012 16h36


A preventive approach to dog control that seeks to address an individual dog’s actions before they become a problem is the right way forward in Wales, according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA), which today welcomed the publication of the draft Control of Dogs (Wales) Bill. The Bill, which is now out for consultation, seeks to address dog control problems by:
  1. Extending the scope of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to make it an offence for a dog to be dangerously out of control anywhere in Wales including private property;
  2. Amending the Dangerous Dogs Act to make it an offence for a dog to attack certain other animals;
  3. Making provision for local authorities to serve Dog Control Notices (DCNs) as a preventive measure and encouraging more responsible dog ownership through training.
The consultation documents accompanying the draft Bill state: “The Welsh Government’s proposals focus on the action and behaviour of a dog and not the breed.” The BVA and BVA Welsh Branch will be responding in detail to the consultation. Commenting, Peter Jones, BVA President, said: “Once again the Welsh Government is taking a lead on canine issues by seeking a more preventive approach to dog control. “The announcement clearly recognises that a dog’s behaviour is primarily the result of the way it is reared, socialised and trained and not the way it looks, and that irresponsible ownership needs to be tackled in a constructive manner before it becomes a problem. “Many of the elements included in the draft Bill are changes that BVA has long campaigned for alongside dog welfare organisations, the police and others. “The BVA has championed the use of Dog Control Notices and we support the extension of the law to cover private property and attacks on other animals. “The Dangerous Dogs Act, which focuses on a dog’s breed, has failed and ultimately the BVA wants to see it repealed. We hope that these bold measures in Wales will be another step towards better dog control legislation across the UK.”

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