Legal moves on dog ownership lack bite

Chloe Walker NOW backing moves to close a legal loophole

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Strong measures to prevent attacks are absent, say MPs
THE Government’s moves to tackle irresponsible dog ownership don’t go far enough, a committee of MPs has warned.

Ministers have announced plans to close a loophole which allowed owners of dogs to escape prosecution if the animal attacked someone on private property.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee said the plans fell short of creating a comprehensive plan for tackling the increasing problem of out–of–control dogs.

The Government will legislate to strengthen the law in the Anti–social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, but the committee wants the draft toughened to meet their concerns.

Committee chairwoman Anne McIntosh said: “Strong measures to prevent dog attacks are conspicuously absent. The Government must bring together dog control and breeding legislation into a single, comprehensive act.”

But the committee backed the move to close the “gaping hole” in the current law making it impossible to bring criminal charges against an owner whose dog attacks someone in a private home.


SHAW dog attack victim Chloe Walker is also backing the move to close the “private home” loophole.
The pretty 16 year old revealed in the Chronicle last month her long recovery from a sickening dog attack.

She was set on by a Japanese Akita/Rottweiler cross at the home of a friend’s relative in 2011 and left with a fractured cheekbone and severely torn lips that needed two operations and more than 100 stitches. The dog’s owner couldn’t be prosecuted.

She said: “I fully support the legislation change, and knowing other people think they should be prosecuted has given me the confidence to speak out.”