Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today
Islwyn MP Chris Evans has joined calls for “a new approach to dangerous dogs” after meeting Emma Whitfield, whose son Jack Lis was killed in a dog attack in Caerphilly in 2021.
Ms Whitfield visited parliament on Tuesday March 28 to meet with MPs from across the political spectrum at a drop-in session, which was also attended by by the RSPCA and Dogs Trust.
The visit was arranged by Caerphilly’s Labour MP Wayne David, who has been campaigning for changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act following the deaths of Jack in November 2021 and Shirley Patrick, 83, in December 2022.
What is the Dangerous Dogs Act?
The 1991 Dangerous Dog Act is a set of laws that limits the public to what breed of dog they can and can’t own, as well as outlining their responsibilities as owners, in keeping control of potentially dangerous dogs.
The list of prohibited dogs are:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
In 2014, an amendment was made to the act which extended it to cover private property. Prior to this, the Act was only applicable to public spaces.
The punishment for owning any of the previously mentioned breeds varies from a £1,000 fine to six months’ imprisonment.
If any dog was to be the direct cause of loss of life and showed signs of being a ‘dangerous dog’ before the attack, the owner of such a dog could face up to 14 years’ imprisonment.
On deciding whether a dog was potentially dangerous or not prior to an attack, the court is asked to assess the temperament of the dog and also the owner’s ability to control such a dog.
According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, between 2000 and 2019, a total of 64 people in England and Wales lost their lives as a result of an attack by a dog.
Following Ms Whitfield’s visit, Labour MP Mr Evans said: “We desperately need a new approach to dangerous dogs in this country. We cannot continue to repeat the mistakes of the last 30 years.
“Jack Lis was a lovely, happy, young lad who was tragically killed by a dangerous dog. His mother, Emma Whitfield, is campaigning with All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group and the Dog Control Coalition to reform the Dangerous Dogs Act.
“No one should have to go through what Emma and family have.”
Alongside meeting Ms Whitfield, Mr Evans also met with representatives from the Dog Control Coalition, which is a collection of animal welfare groups campaigning for reform of dog control laws in the UK.
Members of the coalition include Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Blue Cross, British Veterinary Association and Scottish SPCA.
Mr Evans heard from members of the coalition how Breed Specific Legislation had failed to reduce hospital admissions from dog bites, or reduce the number of dogs belonging to the breeds it legislates against.
What is Breed Specific Legislation?
Breed Specific Legislation, which is part of the Dangerous Dogs Act, sees four breeds of dog, traditionally bred for fighting, banned in the UK.
However, campaigners from the Dog Control Coalition want to see this scrapped and replaced with a form of legislation that moves away from banning dogs based on their breed alone.
Mr Evans, who was bitten by a dog while leafletting in 2010, also heard how the current legislation had caused dogs on the banned list to be euthanised due to the fact it is illegal to rehome banned breeds to new owners, even if they pose no behavioural threat.
Dog licences
Caerphilly MP Mr David has previously called for the reintroduction of some sort of licence for dog owners, which would be enforced by local authorities.
Earlier this year, he told Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that the Dangerous Dogs Act is “woefully inadequate”.
Before Ms Whitfield’s visit, Mr David said: “I believe there is a potential political agreement on how the law on dangerous dogs could be radically changed for the better. All political parties need to make this a priority.”
Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.
Become a member today