Compulsory Dog Insurance Finally On The Table

Government plans are unveiled for the introduction of compulsory dog insurance and microchipping. A major speech today to be made by the Home Secretary, Alan Johnson on crime and anti-social behaviour, will launch a consultation on new measures to 'protect the public' from dangerous dogs.

This consultation is a new joint venture between the Home Office and Defra. It is expected to address the following issues:

Introduction of compulsory microchipping for dogs so that dog owners can be more easily traced

Introduction of compulsory third party insurance so that victims of dog attacks are financially recompensed

Extending dangerous dogs laws to cover all places including private property

Giving police and councils more powers to tackle the problem of dangerous dogs by the introduction of Dog Control Notices

Considering removing exemption rules that allow some people to keep banned types of dogs or if exemptions are to remain ensuring that the system works more effectively

In 2007 the National Dog Wardens Association, (NDWA) called for similar measures. In a report, scathing of existing dangerous dogs legislation, (Dangerous Dogs Act) the NDWA demanded the compulsory insurance of all dogs in the country.

Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn said today:

"There is a lot of public concern about dog attacks, including the recent tragic deaths of young children, and about the rise in the number of so-called 'status dogs' used to intimidate or threaten people.

"This is a serious matter of public safety. The Government wants to hear what people think about the law as it stands and what more we might do to protect people from dangerous dogs, while supporting the vast majority of responsible dog owners."

The RSPCA wants irresponsible pet ownership to be the focus of the consultation. It reports a 12-fold increase in complaints about dog fights between 2004 and 2008.

The charity's Government Relations Manager, Claire Robinson wants the consultation to adopt an holistic approach:

"It needs to be remembered that dog welfare isn't just about dangerous dogs. Strays and over-breeding are also areas that would need to be properly addressed as part of any comprehensive dog welfare strategy."

Dogs Trust said in its response to today's news that a total repeal of all breed specific legislation is needed, with more emphasis placed on penalties, (including custodial sentencing) for irresponsible dog ownership:

"It is essential that this is regarded as a social rather than a dog issue. It is unacceptable that a young person feels it is necessary to own a dog as a form of protection in order to feel safe on the streets."

The Home Secretary, Alan Johnson said in advance of his speech:

"The vast majority of dog owners are responsible, but there is no doubt that some people breed and keep dogs for the sole purpose of intimidating others, in a sense using dogs as a weapon. It is this sort of behaviour that we will not tolerate; it is this sort of behaviour that we are determined to stop."

Finally, the Home Office announced a £20,000 grant to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to help police forces train dedicated dog legislation officers. This matches the funding Defra gave ACPO, (but not quite as much as I spent on extending my small hallway), last year.