DEFRA consutation, changes to Dangerous Dogs legislation

In principle I think aiming for the compulsory microchipping of all dogs is a good idea, but in practice I think it is unlikely to happen in a long time. Yes all the decent breeders will microchip pups before they go to a new home, but I wonder how many of those churning out pups with no thought to their future will bother, and its going to be very hard to check. Vets could be asked to check every new dog they see for a chip, but again those who don't bother chipping probably won't bother vaccinating either.
There is one part that does concern me and that is the fact that they want to change the law so they can prosecute the owner of a dog who bites someone in their own house. My worry is that this would mean if someone tried to break into my house, and my dog tried to protect me and the property by biting said person, there is a chance I could go to jail and my dog would be put down. There is a part on the survey relating to the owner being exempt in such situations and would hope all reasonable people would agree with this.
 
As I understand it, all dogs have to wear a collar with an identifying tag.

How effective is that law and how often is it enforced?

Why do they think that every problem can be solved with more laws when they ignore the ones already on the statute book?
 
Dry Rot said:
As I understand it, all dogs have to wear a collar with an identifying tag.

How effective is that law and how often is it enforced?

Why do they think that every problem can be solved with more laws when they ignore the ones already on the statute book?
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This! IME the police don't understand the laws that are already in existence, there are already sufficient powers out there if they had the time and inclination to look for them. I suspect only law abiding dog owners will bear the extra costs involved (a bit like horse owners and passports).
 
Compulsory chipping just came in here. We chipped, tattooed and DNA'd anyway....

As MM, the potential that I could be penalised and my dog die because he defended me in his own him, makes me a bit sick TBH.
 
I think that if someone breaks in to your home or attacks you in your home and your dog defends you, then that is their tough luck!

They shouldn't be in your home to start with. I have had a situation like this and my patterdale terrier did indeed "go" for them. He is not a dangerous dog and loves people, but he knew I was scared and he knew the man was acting aggressively and he reacted accordingly.

If anyone had tried to seize him for protecting me, it would have to have been over my dead body!
 
Dry Rot said:
........

Why do they think that every problem can be solved with more laws when they ignore the ones already on the statute book?
Click to expand...

I'm not too sure that those who make the rules actually believe that they are doing anything worthwhile. Making new rules is a simple step to placate those who demand action against those who don't or are perceived not to fit in.

All decision making should be taken out of the hands of Defra. Never was there a government department, which is or has been, quite so inept. They are not fit for purpose.

Alec.
 
Did I ever tell you lot about the agriculture department media person who blithely informed me that he had to look 'ringworm' up on Wikipedia to find out what it was? I kid you not....however it could be worse....imagine animal welfare being delegated out to the individual town/city/borough councils...
 
A perfectly true story, which is provable;

During the first Foot and Mouth crisis, in 2001 (I think), a friend of a friend wanted to take a serious dressage horse out to a competition, in Spain. She asked if it would be possible, what health checks would she need, that sort of thing, AND, what would she need for the return journey?

She received a letter from Defra, informing her that the journey out wouldn't present any problems, but the journey home wouldn't be quite so simple, as the horse is a cloven hoofed animal.

You don't believe it? No, neither did I 'till I saw a copy of the letter. It would be funny, were it not for the stupidity of it.

Alec.
 
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