Dangerous dogs, dangerous owners

October 26th, 2009

As someone who has been on the campaign trail many times, I have had my fair share of run-ins with large dogs.

While I wouldn’t expect any sympathy for politicians out delivering leaflets, there can be times though when out of control dogs present a real danger.

Whether it be a postman getting a nip in the hand from an over-boisterous pet while he does his rounds or s small child being attacked by an out-of-control dog, these situations are just not acceptable.

Some would say you don’t get dangerous dogs, just dangerous owners.

So I in principle I am in favour of new legislation aimed at making owners face up to their responsibilities.

I believe current laws don’t go far enough to protect the public. For example, owners are only required to keep their dog under control in public places.

Given that most serious dog attacks of recent years have happened on private premises, it would seem only right that this loophole is closed.
The Bill seeks to close this gap by extending the provisions of the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act to make it an offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control anywhere in Scotland.

So I am looking forward to scrutinising this bill as part of the Local Government Committee as we return to parliament this week after recess.

As someone who has campaigned on this issue, I think it is high time this current legislation was straightened out.

There is no doubt that dogs can make great pets and are a source of great joy to many people and families.

But we don’t have to look very far for examples of this going wrong.

Keeping a dog brings with it great responsibility and its only right that those people who puts others in danger but not facing up to that pay the penalty.