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Senedd Members have debated what can be done to promote sensible dog ownership in Wales.
The issue has been a hot topic lately, particularly in Caerphilly – which has seen two fatal dog attacks in the last two years.
Those attacks claimed the lives of ten-year-old Jack Lis and 83-year-old Shirley Patrick in Penyrheol.
Jack’s mother, Emma Whitfield watched the debate from the gallery on Wednesday October 11, while Penyrheol councillor Steve Skivens was also in attendance.
Plaid Cymru MS Peredur Owen Griffiths, who represents the South Wales East region, put forward a motion proposing a sensible dog ownership bill.
What was Peredur Owen Griffiths’ motion?
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes a proposal for a Bill to promote responsible dog ownership.
2. Notes that the purpose of the Bill would be to:
a) promote community safety following an increasing number of serious dog attacks across Wales including some tragic fatalities;
b) introduce guidance and regulations for anyone wishing to own certain dog breeds, whereby owners have to fulfil certain criteria to own a potentially dangerous dog;
c) consult with stakeholders to establish a definition of a potentially dangerous dog;
d) place a duty on local authorities to set up partnerships to administer the regulations and achieve a consistent pan-Wales approach; and
e) promote local and national initiatives aimed at improving animal welfare, improving public awareness and educating the public on responsible dog ownership.
Opening the debate on Wednesday October 11, Mr Owen Griffiths spoke of how “in the wrong hands, dogs can become dangerous, indeed lethal weapons”.
He highlighted a “correlation” between the increase in dog ownership during the pandemic and the number of recent dog attacks .
He also praised the “bravery and determination” of Ms Whitfield, who has campaigned for changes to dog laws following her son’s death.
Mr Owen Griffiths said: “My intention in bringing this debate to the Senedd is to look at what we can do here in Wales to place more responsibility on dog owners to ensure that they do all they can to raise and train dogs that are safe and healthy within their community.
“Educating dog owners, particularly those who seek to own large and powerful dogs, is something that we do not have to wait for Westminster to give permission on.”
Mr Owen Griffiths went on to call for a “consistent pan-Wales approach” to the issue and said: “If we can do anything to enhance community safety, thereby making the horrific incidents that we have seen in our communities less likely, let’s have that debate.
“Let’s have the consultation and let’s do this for the people we serve.”
Later on in the session, Plaid Cymru MS Delyth Jewell, who also represents the South Wales East region, thanked Ms Whitfield for “all of her brave campaigning” on the issue.
Ms Jewell then spoke of a constituent in Crumlin who was attacked by a “large-headed trophy dog on a very long lead” while out walking in Newbridge, before calling on the Welsh Government to deal with the matter in a “proactive way”.
Ms Jewell, who is her party’s deputy leader, continued: “These less severe attacks don’t make the news, but they have a major effect on the people who are involved, and the maddening thing is that here in Wales we don’t have all the powers over this issue.
“The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is not devolved, but the Welsh Government, as we’ve heard, does have control over the breeding and selling of dogs.”
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.
Caerphilly’s Labour MS, Hefin David, also took part in the debate and said: “I attended Jack’s funeral in November 2021 and the outpouring of grief and love was clear.
“My community of Caerphilly has suffered two deaths as a result of dangerous dogs and this work we are doing will make a difference”.
He praised the cross-party approach to tackling the issue and said: “We know legislation takes time and this is something that needs to be brought under control quickly. But lessons are being learned”.
Dr David highlighted Caerphilly’s Local Environmental Awareness on Dogs (LEAD) scheme and added: “The actions of Caerphilly can be used as an example and implemented across Wales, in order to take control now.”
The debate also saw contributions from Labour MS Jack Sargeant, who spoke of his own recent experiences of dangerous dogs – while Labour’s John Griffiths and Carolyn Thomas, and Plaid’s Luke Fletcher, also gave speeches.
Minister’s response
Animal welfare issues fall under the brief of Wales’ rural affairs minister, Lesley Griffiths.
Ms Griffiths, who will be holding a summit on the issue next week, said: “Laws protecting the public from dangerous dogs are reserved matters, and I’ve been requesting action from the UK Government on this issue since 2017.
“I very much welcome, belatedly, the announcement from the Prime Minister to ban American XL bully dogs, and my officials will be working very closely with their counterparts in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.”
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