RSPCA Welcomes Dog Control Bill In The House of Lords
The RSPCA has welcomed the latest parliamentary reading of proposed new legislation that aims to replace the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Lord Redesdale’s Dog Control Bill places emphasis of responsibility on an animal’s owner, rather than penalising dogs purely for their breed.
He told his fellow peers that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was a knee-jerk reaction to the public outcry that followed high profile attacks.
He claimed, partially as a result of current dog laws, bull breeds are now increasingly being used as status symbols by
irresponsible owners, leading to serious animal welfare concerns.
The Bill received cross party support when it had its second reading in the House of Lords last week (24 April). It was passed to Committee Stage, when amendments can be tabled and it will be debated in more detail.
Claire Robinson, the RSPCA’s Government Relations Manager, said: “The RSPCA is delighted at the introduction of the Dog Control Bill by Lord Redesdale in the House of Lords. The Society has long stated that the Dangerous Dogs Act is flawed because it penalises dogs for their breed, rather than the deed of the owner.
“The Dog Control Bill instead places the emphasis on owners being responsible for their dogs – whatever the breed – in public and private places. For this reason the RSPCA has given its support to the principles of the Bill.
“The cross-party support the reading of the Bill received clearly shows there is widespread belief it is time the Government took another look at the current dog legislation and we believe the Dog Control Bill is a major step towards this.”
Defra Minister Jane Kennedy MP was able to see at first hand the plight of many case dogs forced to stay in kennels as a result of the Dangerous Dogs Act during a visit to one of the Society’s animal centres during RSPCA Week.
“The minister was shocked by how long many of these innocent dogs have to spend in kennels, while they await their fate at the hands of the courts. Hopefully this experience will spur the government into taking further action to improve the lives of those dogs already in kennels, and prevent even more following in their footsteps,” added Claire
Robinson.
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‘Defra Minister Jane Kennedy MP was able to see at first hand the plight of many case dogs forced to stay in kennels as a result of the Dangerous Dogs Act during a visit to one of the Society’s animal centres during RSPCA Week.’
What does this mean, do the RSPCA hold dogs for the police or something?
Are the RSPCA now an enforcement arm for the government, I stupidly thought they were a charity funded by donationsand legacy?
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When the RSPCA use the term ‘case’ animal, it generally means animals which have been removed for cruelty reasons such as fighting.
I think there has been a bit of verbal slieght of hand here. The RSPCA constantly have ‘case’ animals in their centres for months. It can’t be helped as they have to stay until a court can decide their future.
To suggest this would stop if BSL was repealed is wrong even if they were also ‘type’ dogs. Without BSL they would still have to stay in kennels until the ‘case’ is decided.
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It is time that the rspca were re-educated regarding their foundation. They were once a animal charity with the sole purpose of helping animals. This has now long been replaced with a vengeful political animal rights agenda and addiction to gaining overall power regarding ALL animal welfare issues. Not only are they not competent to undertake this roll but they have a serious bias and an unhealthy conflict of interest in all animal welfare issues. Unfortunately this Labour Government has become all too eager to hand responsibility and costings into the private sector so the rspca will continue to control legislate and enforce their personal policies onto the UK animal keepers.
I have seen first hand the incompetence of the rspca but they possess a get out of jail free card and are above the law and are blindly protected by a gulible media.
They will not work with other groups and the whole basis of the AW Act is based on their desires and their five freedoms, cutely changed to ” Duty of Care ” which fails abysmally as much of it cannot be implemented.
The rspca in my opinion do not want animal welfare improved they just want to Police it!!.
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