IRRESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS ARE THE REAL DANGER TO THE PUBLIC

The terrible incident in St Helens that resulted in the death of Ellie Lawrenson highlights yet again the risk of a dog (any dog) being owned by an irresponible dog owner.

There are several allegations regarding irresponsible behaviour on the part of the dogs owner and of at least two warning letters being sent by the Local Authority.  The allegation that the dog was allowed to stray in the local area is a classic example of irresponsible dog ownership.  Whilst the dog is out and about on its own it could quite easily end up causing injury to itself or to a person or other animal or damage to property.

Although it appears that irresponsible dog owners are from within a certain socio-economic grouping, the sobering fact is that irresponsible dog owners come in all shapes and sizes and from all classes of society. 

An example being a person who is totally law abiding and respectful but lets their dog go off for ‘a walk’ on its own, lets it chase livestock or even attack other dogs and does nothing to restrain it then takes no notice of police or local authority requests to stop it straying.  On the other hand there are those people who may have landed an old Cortina on the front lawn and left it to fall apart and might be a bit noisy now and again but would not dream of letting their dog wander around on its own.

A recent Newsnight feature showed an interview with a young man who when asked why he had a dog answered ‘I don’t do knives or guns, I have the dog to protect me’ he then went on to mention how he would use the dog as a weapon to protect him.  This is totally irresponsible and should this young man use his dog as a weapon, I hope that his police force would bring charges under the Malicious Wounding Act 1861 as the dog is being used as a weapon.

Irresponsible dog owners are now prejudicing other breeds of dogs that may be added to existing or even new legislation.  

Perhaps there is a need for some kind of licensing scheme, but not a scheme that raises income for the Government, rather one that licenses and therefore shows a person to be competent to handle and care for a dog?    

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