Recommendations addressed in latest report

The government has published a response to the latest recommendations on changes to dangerous dog laws.

Scrutinising the draft Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Bill, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRACom), submitted its recommendations to the government earlier on in the year.

The committee raised a number of issues relating to the bill, one of the primary concerns being that responsible owners could be prosecuted if their dog attacks a trespasser while they are away from the house.

In its response, the government clarifies that owners will not be penalised if their dog attacks a trespasser when no one is home, but this protection will not be extended to owners whose dogs attack trespassers in outbuildings - such as sheds or garages.

The committee also recommended that the bill be extended to cover attacks on protected animals, however, the government states this is a matter of animal welfare, not public safety, which is the focus of the draft bill.

The introduction of dog control notices were also once again recommended in the committee's report, but the government says it is confidant that the Community Protection Notice (CPN) and Injunction to Prevent Nuisance and Annoyance (IPNA) are equally as effective.

In its report, the committee did however voice its support for the government's work with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) on improving standards for pets sold online, with voluntary minimum standards launched in September this year.

Last month, the government also launched a consultation asking people to state whether to not they feel longer jail terms should be given to those owners who allow their dogs to attack members of the public.

The BVA, however, has said that prevention is better than cure, having campaigned alongside animal welfare charities for the introduction of dog control notices.