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Peredur Owen Griffiths, who represents Plaid Cymru, is one of four regional Senedd Members serving the South Wales East region.

There have been some significant developments concerning dogs in Wales in recent weeks. I was pleased to have a members’ legislative proposal heard in the Senedd which provides opportunities for Senedd Members to put proposed laws before the government.

I put forward a legislative proposal to promote responsible dog ownership and increase community safety. This was following a number of serious dog attacks in my region and in Penyrheol in particular where there have been two fatal dog attacks.

In 2021, ten-year-old Jack Lis died after being mauled by an XL Bully dog. The following year, Shirley Patrick, 83, was attacked by an XL Bully cross Cane Corso breed and died weeks later in hospital from her injuries.

During my contribution in the Senedd, I praised Jack’s mother, Emma Whitfield, who was in the public gallery, for her tenacity and bravery during her campaign work to bring about change following the most awful personal tragedy.

As part of my proposal, I put forward proposals that would promote responsible dog ownership and improve education about dog ownership. In Wales, our hands are tied legislatively when it comes to many things concerning dogs due to the powers that are retained by Westminster. For example, the largely discredited Dangerous Dogs Act is a Westminster law and can only be amended within that institution.

In Wales, we do have animal welfare powers however. This means that if a legislative approach is taken to promote ‘happy healthy dogs’ then it is within our competence. I called upon the Rural Affairs Minister to do everything her government could do to put in measures to protect our citizens and bring down the increasing rate of dog attacks in Wales.

I am pleased that the proposal received cross-party support. I hope it provided food for thought for the Rural Affairs Minister because my proposal preceded a summit called by her on the issue of responsible dog ownership. I was unable to attend as it clashed with a hearing of the Finance Committee that I chair. Representatives from my office were able to attend and that included Penyrheol councillor Steve Skivens who has been a real driving force in the campaign to promote safety around dog ownership.

The meeting was attended by animal welfare charities, police officers as well as a number of other interested parties. The summit also featured a powerful and impassioned contribution by Emma Whitfield.

I welcome this move from the Labour government because we cannot wait for a failing Westminster system to do what is right for communities in Wales. The proof, however, will be in the pudding. We need to see positive, proactive action to tackle the growing tide of dog attacks. 

As someone who grew up around dogs, I know they can be the most incredibly loyal and loving pets. In the wrong hands however, they can be lethal weapons. In Wales we must try to find the balance between acting against irresponsible owners who pose a threat to community safety without penalising the majority of responsible dog owners.

That will be a difficult balancing act and I – along with my colleagues in Plaid Cymru – will be keeping a close eye on developments.