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News & Reports companion animals
Parliamentary group calls for a coordinated strategy on dogs ‘The recommendations within this report are not a wish-list, they are achievable and set out a clear plan to improve dog welfare and deliver public safety.’ So says a subgroup of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare in a recently published report which sets out a number of recommendations for dealing with key issues relating to dogs in England. The report explains that the subgroup was formed ‘because of the growing interest and awareness among politicians of dogrelated issues’. It notes that there appears to be a general consensus among politicians that these are important issues that can impact heavily on their constituencies: ‘The politicians involved in the subgroup recognised early on that as the UK population grows and the structure of society changes in relation to that, so does the role of dogs within it.’ The report gives an overview of the key issues associated with dogs and the group makes 21 recommendations in total, falling under the areas of dog control; dog breeding, dealing and trading; dog identification; responsible dog ownership and guardianship; and resources. Regarding dog control, the group comments that the legal framework in this area has been reactive, describing it as ‘complex and confusing with at least nine pieces of legislation dating back to 1871’. It says that the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, which was passed earlier this year, although useful in some respects, has ‘merely added to the list rather than consolidated it and compounds existing confusion among enforcers about which piece to use and where’. Making recommendations in this area, the group argues that all relevant dog control legislation should be updated and consolidated so that it is evidence-based and supported by current scientific understanding. ‘In particular, it should move away from the breed-specific approach, protect the welfare of the dogs concerned and focus on early intervention and prevention supported by an effective education programme.’ Another recommendation is that all serious and fatal dog bite incidents should be fully investigated, including using the services of a suitable, independent behaviourist. ‘Understanding the causes of such tragic incidents will help inform the development of updated and consolidated legislation, increase knowledge in this area as well as aiding effective preventative
measures and education programmes,’ the group says. Turning to dog breeding, dealing and trading, it says that the laws in this area are outdated and need reviewing and updating. It recommends that this is done through regulations and statutory codes of practice under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The group also highlights the puppy contract that was developed by the Animal Welfare Foundation and the RSPCA, recommending that this should be endorsed by Defra and all responsible breeders and that the public should be consistently informed that its use is encouraged. Regarding the movement of dogs under the Pet Travel Scheme, the group recommends that the APHA should take the lead enforcement role in this area and adopt an intelligence-led enforcement regime at the ports of entry to prevent the rules being exploited by commercial traders. Other recommendations relate to the approach to licensing and enforcement around dog breeding; training and guidance for local authority officers regarding dog welfare and the law; and the provision by housing providers of pet policies and tenancy agreements that address the breeding and sale of dogs. Noting that all dogs will soon be required to be microchipped in England and Wales, the group says that it is essential that all dog owners know this and are aware that they must keep their details up to date on the relevant databases. It is concerned that
insufficient resources will be available to enforce the new legislation and other dogrelated issues in an effective and meaningful way: ‘While we hope that education will assist with ensuring compliance in the majority of cases, it is important that there are resources available to deal with the minority who do not comply.’ It recommends that the public sector, central government and welfare organisations work together to find a sustainable and effective way to fund the resources needed for enforcing the law. In the area of responsible dog ownership and guardianship, the group says that the concerns it has addressed earlier in its report ‘are all relevant to this area’. ‘Being a responsible owner or guardian completes the circle of issues and could actually prevent and tackle some of the previous problems identified,’ it says. Among its recommendations are that all animal welfare organisations, the police and local authorities should seek to find an educational mechanism to provide consistent support and advice to those who do not meet the welfare needs of their dogs. It also considers the issue of deliberate cruelty towards dogs, saying that the public has concerns about the prison sentences given to those who are found guilty of cruelty and animal fighting. ‘At present the penalty is a maximum of six months which in comparison with other countries is relatively low . . . The UK actually has one of the shortest custodial sentences for cruelty in the EU.’ The group recommends that the maximum sentences for animal cruelty and fighting should be increased to two years so that the UK’s approach is more consistent with other EU countries. The group’s final recommendation is in the area of resources. It says that there is an urgent need to identify a means to ensure that there are adequate resources available to tackle dog-related issues. ‘Further work in creating some form of regular funding stream that can be ring-fenced for this work is crucial to ensuring an effective and sustainable approach,’ it says. The group is planning a second phase of work in 2015 to develop its recommendations further. n ‘Review and recommendations for developing an effective England-wide strategy for dogs’. Available at www.apgaw. org/Data/Sites/1/the-dog-strategy-.pdf doi: 10.1136/vr.g7595 December 13, 2014 | Veterinary Record | 577
Downloaded from http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/ on September 3, 2015 - Published by group.bmj.com
Parliamentary group calls for a coordinated strategy on dogs Veterinary Record 2014 175: 577
doi: 10.1136/vr.g7595 Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/175/23/577
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News & Reports companion animals
Parliamentary group calls for a coordinated strategy on dogs ‘The recommendations within this report are not a wish-list, they are achievable and set out a clear plan to improve dog welfare and deliver public safety.’ So says a subgroup of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare in a recently published report which sets out a number of recommendations for dealing with key issues relating to dogs in England. The report explains that the subgroup was formed ‘because of the growing interest and awareness among politicians of dogrelated issues’. It notes that there appears to be a general consensus among politicians that these are important issues that can impact heavily on their constituencies: ‘The politicians involved in the subgroup recognised early on that as the UK population grows and the structure of society changes in relation to that, so does the role of dogs within it.’ The report gives an overview of the key issues associated with dogs and the group makes 21 recommendations in total, falling under the areas of dog control; dog breeding, dealing and trading; dog identification; responsible dog ownership and guardianship; and resources. Regarding dog control, the group comments that the legal framework in this area has been reactive, describing it as ‘complex and confusing with at least nine pieces of legislation dating back to 1871’. It says that the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, which was passed earlier this year, although useful in some respects, has ‘merely added to the list rather than consolidated it and compounds existing confusion among enforcers about which piece to use and where’. Making recommendations in this area, the group argues that all relevant dog control legislation should be updated and consolidated so that it is evidence-based and supported by current scientific understanding. ‘In particular, it should move away from the breed-specific approach, protect the welfare of the dogs concerned and focus on early intervention and prevention supported by an effective education programme.’ Another recommendation is that all serious and fatal dog bite incidents should be fully investigated, including using the services of a suitable, independent behaviourist. ‘Understanding the causes of such tragic incidents will help inform the development of updated and consolidated legislation, increase knowledge in this area as well as aiding effective preventative
measures and education programmes,’ the group says. Turning to dog breeding, dealing and trading, it says that the laws in this area are outdated and need reviewing and updating. It recommends that this is done through regulations and statutory codes of practice under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The group also highlights the puppy contract that was developed by the Animal Welfare Foundation and the RSPCA, recommending that this should be endorsed by Defra and all responsible breeders and that the public should be consistently informed that its use is encouraged. Regarding the movement of dogs under the Pet Travel Scheme, the group recommends that the APHA should take the lead enforcement role in this area and adopt an intelligence-led enforcement regime at the ports of entry to prevent the rules being exploited by commercial traders. Other recommendations relate to the approach to licensing and enforcement around dog breeding; training and guidance for local authority officers regarding dog welfare and the law; and the provision by housing providers of pet policies and tenancy agreements that address the breeding and sale of dogs. Noting that all dogs will soon be required to be microchipped in England and Wales, the group says that it is essential that all dog owners know this and are aware that they must keep their details up to date on the relevant databases. It is concerned that
insufficient resources will be available to enforce the new legislation and other dogrelated issues in an effective and meaningful way: ‘While we hope that education will assist with ensuring compliance in the majority of cases, it is important that there are resources available to deal with the minority who do not comply.’ It recommends that the public sector, central government and welfare organisations work together to find a sustainable and effective way to fund the resources needed for enforcing the law. In the area of responsible dog ownership and guardianship, the group says that the concerns it has addressed earlier in its report ‘are all relevant to this area’. ‘Being a responsible owner or guardian completes the circle of issues and could actually prevent and tackle some of the previous problems identified,’ it says. Among its recommendations are that all animal welfare organisations, the police and local authorities should seek to find an educational mechanism to provide consistent support and advice to those who do not meet the welfare needs of their dogs. It also considers the issue of deliberate cruelty towards dogs, saying that the public has concerns about the prison sentences given to those who are found guilty of cruelty and animal fighting. ‘At present the penalty is a maximum of six months which in comparison with other countries is relatively low . . . The UK actually has one of the shortest custodial sentences for cruelty in the EU.’ The group recommends that the maximum sentences for animal cruelty and fighting should be increased to two years so that the UK’s approach is more consistent with other EU countries. The group’s final recommendation is in the area of resources. It says that there is an urgent need to identify a means to ensure that there are adequate resources available to tackle dog-related issues. ‘Further work in creating some form of regular funding stream that can be ring-fenced for this work is crucial to ensuring an effective and sustainable approach,’ it says. The group is planning a second phase of work in 2015 to develop its recommendations further. n ‘Review and recommendations for developing an effective England-wide strategy for dogs’. Available at www.apgaw. org/Data/Sites/1/the-dog-strategy-.pdf doi: 10.1136/vr.g7595 December 13, 2014 | Veterinary Record | 577
Downloaded from http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/ on September 3, 2015 - Published by group.bmj.com
Parliamentary group calls for a coordinated strategy on dogs Veterinary Record 2014 175: 577
doi: 10.1136/vr.g7595 Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/175/23/577
These include:
Email alerting service
Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up in the box at the top right corner of the online article.
Notes
To request permissions go to: http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions To order reprints go to: http://journals.bmj.com/cgi/reprintform To subscribe to BMJ go to: http://group.bmj.com/subscribe/
