IMPROVING DOG OWNERSHIP THE ECONOMIC CASE FOR DOG LICENSING

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No. 753/10
Ref P18
Date: 3 September 2010

To: All Branches
 
Dear Colleagues
  

IMPROVING DOG OWNERSHIP - THE ECONOMIC CASE FOR DOG LICENSING - RSPCA REPORT

Please find attached copy of the RSPCAs new report on the economic research supporting the case for an effective dog licensing scheme to curb the problems associated with irresponsible dog ownership.

There are estimated to be more than 10 million dogs in the UK with external social costs arising from dog ownership, such as costs to the NHS from dog attacks on people, attacks on livestock, costs from road accidents involving dogs, and the costs of delivering a comprehensive dog warden service.  In 2009, the total cost of dogs to the taxpayer reached £100 million (this excludes the costs for police dealing with dangerous and prohibited dogs). 

There have been a number of developments this year on dog issues in 2010 - from the Bateson report in January, the dog code of practice in England, the Defra consultation on new proposed dog control legislation for England and Wales in April, to the passing of new dog control law in Scotland in May, and the new proposed Dangerous Dogs Law currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Assembly, both due to come in to force in 2011 plus proposals for controls over dog breeding and identification in Wales in June.  Furthermore in Northern Ireland, the only part of the UK with a dog licensing scheme, the intention to update and improve the scheme recommended a rise in the dog licence fee, coupled with compulsory microchipping and new initiatives to improve dog welfare.  There are currently 23 European countries with a dog licence or registration scheme.

Far from being a tax on responsible owners, the introduction of a dog licensing scheme could help to cover these costs by funding extensive health and welfare strategies and making owners more accountable for their dogs and their actions by funding better Dog Law enforcement. In a survey in 2010 two thirds of dog owners supported the introduction of a dog licence.

The Big Society is about empowering local communities to take responsibility for their area, however without the resources for local authorities and the police to take the necessary action to support this it will have little effect.  The RSPCA believes that a dog licence could provide a funding stream for such resources.  Such a licence could be set at £20-30 per dog with reductions for certain categories, e.g. assistance dogs, neutered dogs, pensioners, etc

The objective of this report is to provide some of the information needed to start a serious conversation between government, enforcers (local authorities and the police) and animal welfare groups who are often left to pick up the pieces.



The RSPCA have become an active partner in the CWU's 'Bite-Back' Campaign and we've no hesitation in supporting the call for Dog Licensing and Microchipping. Please take the time to read the Report and support the RSPCA calls to encourage the government to take this forward.  If you would like a hard copy of the Report then contact the RSPCA HQ directly:-
RSPCA Enquiries Service
Wilberforce Way
Southwater
Horsham
West Sussex
RH13 9RS 
Tel: 0300 1234 555

Yours Sincerely



Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 

[DGP1]

We've always paid for our dog licensing over here, even so, those who don't want to pay just won't pay it and it will end up the responible owners paying and the tattooed f***wits just doing what they want (bearing in mind that it's these people who tend to have the most dangerous dogs).

[deltaforce]

We've always paid for our dog licensing over here, even so, those who don't want to pay just won't pay it and it will end up the responible owners paying and the tattooed f***wits just doing what they want (bearing in mind that it's these people who tend to have the most dangerous dogs).

I agree absolutley...Just look at the situation with motor vehicles and the millions who now have no insurance,mot etc.