Correspondence Feb. 01 2022
Committee: Petitions CommitteeFound: Correspondence to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs relating to breed specific
Asked by: Virendra Sharma (Labour - Ealing, Southall)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to update breed-specific legislation and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to help prevent unnecessary suffering in dogs.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The primary purpose of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is public protection. The Government must balance the views of those who want to repeal or amend the breed specific legislation relating to the Pit Bull terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and the Japanese Tosa with that responsibility.
Historically, pit bull types are powerful dogs which have been traditionally bred in the UK for dog fighting. Data gathered from 2005 onwards on fatal dog attacks show that pit bulls were involved in around one in six tragic incidents, despite the prohibitions that we have in place that have significantly limited the numbers of pit bulls in the UK.
The Government considers that a lifting of the restrictions on these types of dogs would more likely result in an increase in dog attacks, rather than contributing to any reduction in such incidents. This position is supported by the police.
Despite the general prohibitions on these types of dog, individual prohibited dogs can be kept by their owners if a court considers certain safety criteria to be met.
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 also gives enforcement bodies the power to take action in cases where a dog is considered to be dangerously out of control and has attacked another dog.
In December 2021, Defra published research in collaboration with Middlesex University to look at responsible ownership across all breeds of dog. The report will provide the basis for the consideration of reform in this area and the Government is already working with the police, local authorities, and stakeholders to consider the recommendations further.
Repeal Breed Specific Legislation
- Final Signatures: 116,252
The Government should repeal breed specific provisions in dangerous dogs legislation. We believe these provisions are a flawed approach to public safety and an ethical failing with regards to animal welfare.
Debate: This petition was debated in Westminster Hall on 6th June 2022
The Government responsed to this petition on 13th January 2022 (View Full Response)Found: We are not satisfied with the response to previous petitions making requests relating to breed specific
Formal Minutes Nov. 18 2021
Committee: Petitions CommitteeFound: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/262337 132 Repeal IR35 legislation in Public Sector and proposed
Mentions:
1: George Eustice (CON - Camborne and Redruth) Only a person holding a licence will be able to buy, sell, transfer or breed primates. - Speech Link
2: Luke Evans (CON - Bosworth) It has put forward a bid for a national education and conservation centre, which will not only breed - Speech Link
3: David Jones (CON - Clwyd West) , but will be moved to secondary legislation through the repeal of section 1A of the 1981 Act. - Speech Link
4: Jim Shannon (DUP - Strangford) Control orders would require owners to take specific steps to avoid future offences, destruction orders - Speech Link
5: Victoria Prentis (CON - Banbury) Friend the Member for Romford about the specific points that he made about appeals and so on.This Bill - Speech Link
Found: Library does not intend the information in our research publications and briefings to address the specific
Found: Library does not intend the information in our research publications and briefings to address the specific
Jul. 29 2021
Source Page: Compliance with the Convention on Nuclear Safety Obligations: 8th national reportFound: During this period the UK will continue to negotiate, implemen t and apply EU legislation.
Jul. 13 2021
Source Page: Criminal law dealing with dangerous dogs: discussion paper analysisFound: There is no specific offence of breaching a Contingent D estruction Order.
Mentions:
1: Elliot Colburn (CON - Carshalton and Wallington) The prayer of the petition states:“Breed Specific Legislation fails to achieve what Parliament intended - Speech Link
2: Daniel Zeichner (LAB - Cambridge) In our view and that of many people, the breed-specific legislation that we are discussing has fallen - Speech Link
3: Victoria Prentis (CON - Banbury) Members recognise that we have to balance the views of people who wish to repeal breed-specific legislation - Speech Link
4: Elliot Colburn (CON - Carshalton and Wallington) specific legislation. - Speech Link