Government dangerous dog plans dismissed as 'tinkering'

The Government has been accused of failing to crack down on attacks by dangerous dogs, after it unveiled measures which critics said were "just tinkering around the edges" of the problem.

The measures include closing a loophole in the law so that dog owners will face prosecution if their pet attacks someone lawfully on their property.

Ministers also announced plans for compulsory microchipping of puppies by breeders before they are sold, a move proposed two years ago in an independent review to stop poor welfare "puppy farming" by unscrupulous breeders.

But, as Stephen Douglas reports, animal welfare charities criticised the failure to bring in measures to prevent attacks, such as "dog control orders" which would force owners to keep dogs identified as potential problem animals on a lead or muzzled in public:

And news that the plans were subject to a further consultation was met with dismay by campaigners and the postal workers' union, who have been pushing for changes to the law for years.

Announcing the proposals, Environment Department (Defra) minister Jim Paice said: "We are known as a nation of animal lovers who take proper care of our pets. But there are a minority of irresponsible dog owners who don't.

"These people allow their dogs to menace or even attack innocent members of the public. This has to stop.

"Today we are announcing a comprehensive package of measures that tackle the problem head on, which will better protect legitimate visitors to private property and will enable the police to take action before someone is hurt or killed."

But Communication Workers Union general secretary Billy Hayes said: "We were hoping that all the fanfare around the dangerous dogs announcement this weekend would mean that positive action was on the way. Instead all we're getting is yet another consultation."

He said that during the consultation 12 postal workers would be attacked every day, with many having no protection in law as 70% of attacks took place on private property.

"It's about time the law bit back to protect innocent dog attack victims.

"Thousands of postal workers and telecom engineers - along with other workers who go on to private property and parents of small children - desperately need the private property loophole closing so that they have some protection," he said, adding that action was needed now.

The Dogs Trust welcomed the extension of the laws to ensure prosecution of owners whose dogs attack people on private property, and said compulsory microchipping should be a central part of policies to tackle irresponsible dog ownership.

The charity said microchipping would not prevent attacks, but would effectively link dogs to owners and make them responsible for their pet's behaviour.

However, the Trust also called for ways to deal with attacks before they occur, for example by issuing dog control notices to owners of dogs which are out of control or aggressive, ensuring they are muzzled or on a lead in public.

Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust chief executive, said: "Government must tackle this problem head on with completely new legislation, rather than just tinkering round the edges.

"We're extremely disillusioned that there is nothing in the consultation on measures that will actually help to prevent dog attacks, which is surely what the aim of these proposals should be."

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home said the measures were a "wasted opportunity" for the Government to address irresponsible owners and welfare issues.

The charity's chief executive Claire Horton said: "If only puppies were to be microchipped it could take many years for this to affect all dogs, and with scant detail from the Government on how this scheme will be enforced, will it make any difference?

"How in real life will this tackle the thousands of irresponsible owners who will continue to unscrupulously breed and sell puppies, or abandon dogs with little thought for animal welfare?"