DEFRA Consultation on Dangerous Dogs

[Cuffey]

Apologies if already posted but did not come up in a search

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/dangerous-dogs/

There have been a number of well publicised cases on HHO where dogs have either been out of control or owners have deliberately set their dogs onto ponies

BHS have had 74 dog attacks reported to them in the last 3 years
In the time they have been collecting data 10 horses/ponies have died, another 42 horses have been injured and riders/owners have also been hurt--sure there will be many more who have taken a tumble because a dog has chased their horse

BHS are asking horse owners to respond to this consultation
We all know the dog owners are to blame in most of these cases--so let DEFRA know what you think

 

[Spudlet]

Ermmm most people on this bit of the forum are dog owners...?

It has been discussed in some detail already anyway!

 

[3DE]

Filled in the consultation

 

[CorvusCorax]

Thanks for posting.

I know it is not palatable for everyone but in most cases it IS the fault of the owner for not having the dog under control or having unrealistic expectations of recall in the face of temptation.
I know I cannot trust my boy around livestock so he stays on lead in an area where we are likely to meet any.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I saw the piece in H & H about this (was not impressed they used a picture of a GSD). It is probably preaching to the converted in here but it does no harm to remind people to keep their dogs under close control around livestock. A dog who takes no notice of your own horse at home could quite possibly get excited and give chase if they happen to see a horse cantering past whilst out on a walk. Even if the dog means no malice it could be enough to spook the horse and possibly injure it and the rider, far better to be safe than sorry.