Disappointment as Welsh dog bill is suspended

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... ed-5070368" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Control of Dogs (Wales) Bill had the backing of a Cardiff councillor whose six-year-old son was mauled by a Rhodesian Ridgeback



A decision to shelve a law which would have seen notices sent to owners of out-of-control dogs was 'deeply disappointing', Assembly Members have been told.

Natural Resources and Food Minister Alun Davies confirmed in May that the Control of Dogs (Wales) Bill would be suspended in favour of working with the UK Government’s on adapting antisocial behaviour legislation being formed in Westminster.

The Control of Dogs (Wales) Bill had the backing of Cardiff councillor Dilwar Ali, whose son Erfan was mauled by a Rhodesian Ridgeback in 2011, at the age of six. Erfan was left with permanent scars after the dog leapt over a garden fence at his home in Gabalfa, Cardiff, as he helped his mother bring in the washing.

The law could have seen owners banned from owning dogs if they fail to keep their dogs under control or comply with proposed “dog control notices” (DCNs) which could see them undergo training – and would have extended scope for prosecution to cover attacks on private property. DCNs could have also forced owners to make alterations to private property for safety reasons.

Representatives from the RSPCA, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) urged the Welsh Government to reverse this decision during an appearance before the Environment and Sustainability committee at the Assembly, amid claims the Westminster law would be inadequate in dealing with dangerous dogs.

Gavin Grant, the chief executive of the RSPCA, said it was a matter of “deep disappointment” to the organisation that the Bill was shelved.

“The current Bill [in Westminster] doesn’t particularly focus on dog welfare at all, or indeed even to dogs, it’s a very broad Bill,” he said.

“Your own Bill here would’ve focused specifically on dogs.”

Dave Joyce, the national health, safety and environment officer of the CWU, said it was “desperately unhappy” with the decision. He said around 23,000 postal workers had been attacked by dogs over the last five years, with 70% taking place on private property.

Councillor Ali said in the wake of the decision: “I am very sorry that the Minister has decided to kill off the bill.”

and I simply do not understand why the issue of legal competence was not fully explored and resolved at the outset before the First Minister made his commitment on July 17 last year and certainly before the former Minister, John Griffiths AM, went out to consultation with a draft bill.

“Most importantly, I remain of the view that the Westminster Government’s anti-social behaviour proposals will not provide adequate tools for dealing with irresponsible dog owners and their dogs.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The Environment and Sustainability Committee is continuing to hear evidence on this issue and we look forward to receiving their full report in due course.

“The Minister for Natural Resources and Food , Alun Davies has suspended, rather than withdrawn the Control of Dogs Bill. We will continue to work constructively with the UK Government to ensure that their proposals to amend the Dangerous Dogs Act reflect Welsh Government priorities. The Minister has retained the option of introducing a Welsh bill if we are unable to reach agreement with the UK Government on the legislative options.”