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A Welsh Government summit is being held to explore what an be done to promote sensible dog ownership in Wales.
The summit, which is happening on Wednesday October 18, has been called by Wales’ rural affairs minister, Lesley Griffiths.
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 in November 2021 and 83-year-old Shirley Patrick in December 2022. Both attacks happened in Penyrheol.
The issue was debated in the Senedd on October 11, with Jack’s mother, Emma Whitfield, watching from the gallery.
The summit will involve representatives from local government, the police, public health, voluntary organisations and campaigners.
While laws such as the Dangerous Dogs Act are not devolved to Wales, the Welsh Government does have power over issues such as dog breeding, pet sales and raising awareness of responsible dog ownership.
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.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Ms Griffiths said: “We have seen far too many dog attacks over the past few years and, while changes to the law on dangerous dogs is a matter for the UK Government, there are things we can address in Wales – such as improving enforcement of current legislation, education and raising awareness.
“The summit brings together all the key players so we can see what works now, where there are gaps and where we can take more action.”
She continued: “Any dog, whatever their breed or size, has the potential to cause harm and show aggression, and so responsible dog ownership is vital for all breeds.
“I hope the summit, by bringing everyone together, can explore and assess how we can make progress using the levers at our disposal in Wales.”
Wales’ chief veterinary officer, Dr Richard Irvine, said: “Responsible dog ownership is key for animal welfare and public safety.
“Owning a dog can bring huge rewards, but it is also a commitment and a great responsibility. It is not something to be taken lightly, and the summit will be vital in hearing from all parties on what more we can do, including to ensure those embarking on dog ownership are well-informed.”
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