RSPCA Unveils Anti Social Dog Behaviour Scheme

A new scheme designed to tackle ‘anti social dog behaviour’, backed by major animal charities and the Mayor of London has been launched. The full RSPCA release statement below:

A new scheme aimed at reducing intimidating and anti-social behaviour with dogs on London’s streets was launched today in Brixton. The ‘People with Dogs Project’, supported by the Mayor of London, brings together three leading animal charities – Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, The Blue Cross and the RSPCA – with the Greater London Authority, the Metropolitan Police and Wandsworth Council.

A gritty short film produced by the ‘People With Dogs Project’ was unveiled at the launch as part of an educational pack exploring the issues surrounding dog ownership.  It is targeted specifically at young people and fronted by popular Brixton MC Wordsmith, a keen dog lover.

The educational pack includes a workshop that explores the topics raised in the film, such as irresponsible dog breeding, inappropriate exercise areas and organised dog fighting.  It also includes a moving interview with Londoner Mike Ebberson who was seriously injured while trying to save his own dog from being attacked, and eventually killed, by aggressive dogs left off the lead in a London park last year.

Mark Callis, Dog Warden at Wandsworth Council and spokesman for the People With Dogs Project, said: “Too many young people are getting a dog as a status symbol, without the knowledge of how to handle and care for an animal.  It’s a common sight in London to see kids hanging out on street corners with dogs and their behaviour can be very intimidating.  We hope to influence young people by asking them to think about the impact of this behaviour and the responsibilities of dog ownership.”

The People With Dogs Project is supported by the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who added: “I am committed to making the streets of London a safer place for everyone, and this includes tackling the problem of anti-social behaviour with dogs.  The scheme launched today has my full support as it aims to strike at the heart of the problem, teaching and educating young Londoners how to behave responsibly with their pets.”

The problem of anti-social behaviour with dogs is illustrated by recent figures from the Metropolitan Police.  In 2007, 943 incidents were reported in London of dogs being dangerously out of control in a public place involving threatening behaviour.   During the same period, 416 dog thefts were reported in the capital and 251 incidents of dogs being used in, or being present during, a crime.

Last year the RSPCA received more than 230 complaints relating to dog fighting in London, often amongst groups of young people in parks, including cases of dogs being deliberately set on other people or dogs.  This figure has doubled since 2006 and quadrupled since 2005, showing the dramatic rise in the problem.

Animal charities also report concerns about the growing number of ‘street’ dogs being acquired by young Londoners as fashion accessories.  The popularity of certain tough-looking breeds, such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers (Staffies), Rottweilers, Bull Mastiffs and other Bull breeds has led to a surge in the numbers being bred and later abandoned when they are no longer wanted or homes cannot be found.

A third of all unwanted dogs taken in by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home last year were pure or part-bred Staffy (2,677), an increase of 23% on the previous year.  The same breed represented a third of all dogs treated at Blue Cross animal hospitals last year (3,722).  Since 2002, this figure has grown six-fold from 558, illustrating the growing popularity of the breed.

Animal charities are urging dog owners, particularly those with Staffies, to neuter their animals in order to reduce the problem of unwanted pets.  Neutering also has long-term health benefits for the animal, as well as reducing their instinct to roam and making them less attractive to thieves.  Many charities offer free or discounted neutering schemes for pet owners on low incomes.

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Tags:  Animal Charities, Animal Welfare, Social Issues