Dangerous dogs
Wednesday 11 March 2009
The Dangerous Dogs Act prevents people from keeping certain types of dogs. Why is this Act needed?
The law
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was put in place after a number of attacks by dogs on humans. The Act makes it illegal to own, breed, sell or trade dogs that are a threat to safety. For more information visit DirectGov.
Anyone who goes against this law faces a fine of £5,000 and/or six months in prison. Their dog will also be taken away.
Other things which owners will be sentenced for include:-
- Letting the dog out in public spaces
- Encouraging it to approach passersby
- Allowing it go on another person’s property
- Killing live animals
Dangers
The reason why some dogs are prohibited in the UK is because it is uncertain what they were bred for. Some dogs are bred to fight, especially if they've come from abroad, and organised fighting is illegal in the UK.
Another reason why the Act was introduced was because of the rising number of dog attacks, especially on young children. Dog bites are a major problem in the UK – around 27,000 cases are reported every year.
Types of dogs
The Act specifies dogs by ‘type’ rather than ‘breed’ because dogs are considered dangerous on individual behavioural characteristics, regardless of what breed they are. Assessing whether a dog is dangerous or not is done by the courts.
The four main types of dogs that are prohibited in the UK are:-
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
Exemption
The Index of Exempted Dogs lists dogs that are a prohibited type but do not pose any threat.
Owners can only have their dogs on the list under instruction from the courts – no-one can just apply for it. Owners will have to give full details of their dog and it must have been neutered. The owners then have to get their dogs tattooed, micro-chipped and insured. Once the dog is placed on the list, it will have to wear a muzzle and be in the charge of someone who is at least 16 years old.
Who to contact
If you think someone owns a dangerous dog, then the first thing to do is call the police. If you know who the owner is, never attempt to question them about it.
However, if you see a stray dog in a public space and it is causing harm you should contact the dog warden service which will take care of the situation. Don't attempt to approach the dog.
Sometimes it is the dogs themselves that are being mistreated. If you feel that a dog is being treated cruelly you should contact the RSPCA.
What to do
There are some steps you can take if you are approached by a dog in a threatening way.
Firstly, stand still and keep your hands in your pockets. Dogs like to get a hold of something so avoid waving your arms for help. Also, avoid eye contact as the dog will interpret this as confrontational. It is also best to walk away slowly, never turnining your back on the dog. Also never try to run as you will only encourage the dog to chase you.
If you are bitten, your first instinct will probably be to pull away, but this will only tear your skin. Instead, call for help. Try to find a hard stick to slide between the dog’s teeth from the side of their mouth. This will force them to open their jaw.
