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Caerphilly’s Member of Parliament has told the Prime Minister the Dangerous Dogs Act is “woefully inadequate”.
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.
Labour MP Wayne David raised the issue in Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, following the deaths of ten-year-old Jack Lis in November 2021 and Shirley Patrick, 83, last month, as a result of dog attacks.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr David said: “During a period of 12 months, two of my constituents – a ten-year-old boy and a senior citizen – lost their lives after being attacked by dangerous dogs.
“Fatalities have also occurred in other parts of the country.
“It is clear that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is woefully inadequate.”
He continued: “The Government have commissioned studies and debated the subject at length, but they have done nothing. My question is: when will the Government take action on the issue of dangerous dogs?”
In response, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The honourable Gentleman raises a very important case, and I am very sorry to hear about the specific families he mentions.
“We recognise that dog attacks can have horrific consequences, and I want to assure him that we take the issue incredibly seriously.
“That is why we have established a working group between police, local authorities and other key stakeholders to consider all aspects of tackling irresponsible dog ownership. That working group will make its recommendations later this year, and of course, the Government will respond promptly.”
Radical changes needed
Mr David recently called for radical changes in the way people own, breed, and sell dogs are needed in the UK.
Speaking to Caerphilly Observer following Ms Patrick’s death, Mr David said: “I am determined to now press home the need for a fundamental change to how we approach the issue of dangerous dogs but also to start a local campaign which will feed into national campaigns already in progress.
“First of all, the UK Government’s approach until now has been to have a limited list of dangerous dogs and that is not a solution.
“You can have a list almost as long as your arm with different breeds.”
He continued: “Because there is so much cross-breeding now, it is impossible to have an accurate list. Clever barristers will have a field day with these lists.”
Mr David called for a different approach, including the reintroduction of some sort of licence for dog owners, which would be enforced by local authorities.
He added: “It is ridiculous you can buy and sell dogs so easily. Most of these dogs are being sold on the internet – there’s no legislation. With strict licensing, that would not be possible.”
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