UK dogs face microchipping
Source: Agencies |
March 10, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
All British dog-owners face compulsory microchipping of their pets and the introduction of mandatory third party insurance under proposals announced yesterday to combat the rise in attacks by dangerous dogs.
Existing laws may also be extended to cover private property, to protect postmen delivering mail. Currently owners are only breaking the law if their dog is out of control in a public place.
The proposals were announced by Home Secretary Alan Johnson, a former postman, who hit out at owners of so-called weapon dogs.
"The vast majority of dog owners are responsible, but there is no doubt that some people breed and keep dogs for the sole purpose of intimidating others, in a sense using dogs as a weapon," he said.
"It is this sort of behavior that we will not tolerate; it is this sort of behavior that we are determined to stop."
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) recorded a 12-fold increase in organized dog fights between 2004 and 2008. Reported fights account for two thirds of calls concerning dogs to the animal welfare charity.
RSPCA spokesman Rob Harris welcomed the proposals, but said plans for an insurance scheme were inadequate.
"The announcement is a major step forward but the mandatory insurance scheme risks targeting the law-abiding dog owner rather than those who are causing the problems," he said.
A spokesman for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the government was eager to hear the public's views on the proposals. The previous Dangerous Dogs Act passed in 1991 was widely criticized for being rushed through without consultation.
"This is a consultation document. We're saying 'These are the options. What do people think?' Nothing has been decided," he said.
DEFRA will analyze all submissions before passing its recommendations on to the government.
Existing laws may also be extended to cover private property, to protect postmen delivering mail. Currently owners are only breaking the law if their dog is out of control in a public place.
The proposals were announced by Home Secretary Alan Johnson, a former postman, who hit out at owners of so-called weapon dogs.
"The vast majority of dog owners are responsible, but there is no doubt that some people breed and keep dogs for the sole purpose of intimidating others, in a sense using dogs as a weapon," he said.
"It is this sort of behavior that we will not tolerate; it is this sort of behavior that we are determined to stop."
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) recorded a 12-fold increase in organized dog fights between 2004 and 2008. Reported fights account for two thirds of calls concerning dogs to the animal welfare charity.
RSPCA spokesman Rob Harris welcomed the proposals, but said plans for an insurance scheme were inadequate.
"The announcement is a major step forward but the mandatory insurance scheme risks targeting the law-abiding dog owner rather than those who are causing the problems," he said.
A spokesman for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the government was eager to hear the public's views on the proposals. The previous Dangerous Dogs Act passed in 1991 was widely criticized for being rushed through without consultation.
"This is a consultation document. We're saying 'These are the options. What do people think?' Nothing has been decided," he said.
DEFRA will analyze all submissions before passing its recommendations on to the government.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
