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Councils will force owners to microchip their dogs
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard12 Dec 2008
COUNCILS will be able to compel dogowners to muzzle, neuter or microchip their dogs as a result of a Private Member's Bill due to be heard today.
The Bill, which will also enable councils to remove dangerous dogs, is aimed at increasing local authorities' power to take action against dangerous and nuisance animals.
The proposed legislation would make it an offence to have a dangerous dog, to own a dog that has been used for fighting or to breed dangerous dogs.
An order may be made to have the dog destroyed and the owner could be banned from owning any more dogs and face a prison sentence.
The Bill, introduced by Lord Redesdale, follows in the wake of Mayor Boris Johnson's announcement that he will work with London boroughs to deal with dangerous dogs.
Wandsworth council is the first in London to have made microchipping dogs on estates compulsory.
Leader of Wandsworth council, Edward Lister, said: "We believe the measures outlined in this Bill are the best way forward. They would go a long way towards tackling [dangerous dogs]."
For more information about micro-chipping and the work of the dog control unit, see www.wandsworth.gov.uk/dogs or phone 020 8871 7606.
Reader views (4)
Several weeks ago my Labrador, on his lead, was attacked by a bull terrier type dog who escaped his tether in front of a shop. The Lab, a laid back sort, remained relatively calm and well within my control. To stop the inevitable fight I took hold of the attacking dog's collar and lifted him clear of the ground. The owner then appeared from the shop, took hold of his dog and proceeded to give it a kicking... literally. I had a lot of sympathy for that dog, now on the receiving end, and not very much at all for the owner.
My wife, who is disabled, is fearful of even taking the Labrador for walks alone lest something similar occur in my absence. We have been dog owners for more than 40 years, so her fears are, rightly or wrongly, coloured by past experience.
Dogs? Many of the out-of-control dogs are only doing what dogs do naturally, have learned to do, or, in some cases, were bred and trained to do. It's time to apply the suggested solution of a muzzle, neutering and a microchip to the feckless owners.
- Dai Hunter, London, 14/12/2008 11:53
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About time! I have been the victim of a dog attack just recently and it was terrifying!
The rotweiller came at me in the park and jumped several times to get me down.........The owner was drunk and could not get the dog back on the lead!
I am 5/9 in height and if this had happened to a child it would have got them on the ground!
The dog is bored from being stuck in a hole with a drunk for an owner who can't be bothered to run or teach the dog!
My dog is a Jack mixed who was abused badly........He has been attacked 5 times and none of the owners who allowed this have the decency to pay or apologise!!
One man I asked to put his dog on the lead says he does not care about anyone else so what is the point.......Great law for this kind of idiot attitude!
- Valerie, Hanworth Middlesex, 12/12/2008 22:43
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Yes and the reason being is due to an obscene amount of idiots being allowed to get a way with their stupidity.
'They' need rules and laws.
Douglas of Bristol, you clearly don't live on or in spitting distance of a trouble estate.
- Simon Caleb, London, 12/12/2008 19:07
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Not a day goes by without reading about a 'restrictive law' being introduced by this Government.
- Douglas, Bristol, 12/12/2008 17:19
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