Another Council Recommends Breed Specific Legislation




June 22, 2009 by Alison Green



Derry City Council recommend more breeds be added to Draconian Dogs Legislation:
Northern Ireland council, Derry City Council have released an annual
service plan for the next 12 months, which includes the recommendation
of more breeds being added to their version of the Dangerous Dogs Act
1991 (DDA), the Dangerous Dogs (NI) Order 1991. The Dangerous Dogs (NI)
Order 1991 (DDO) is very similar to the DDA in England, Wales and
Scotland however has no provision for a dog that may fit
“type” to be exempted, meaning any dog deemed type is
automatically destroyed.
The new plan claims that other breeds such as the German Shepherd,
Rottweiler and Doberman Pinscher should be restricted and forced to be
leashed and muzzled in public under provisions within the Order to add
breeds or types not currently covered. The same provision to add new
breeds or types is also included in the DDA and although Defra claim to
have no plans to add breeds or types they do state it is always under
review.
Should the recommendation be acted on, the restrictions would bring
Northern Ireland more in line with Southern Ireland which already
requires the leashing and muzzling of American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull
Mastiff, Doberman pinscher, English Bull Terrier, German Shepard
(Alsation), :Angry: Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa, Rhodesian Ridgeback,
Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and to every dog of the type
commonly known as the Ban Dog (or Bandog) and to every other strain or
cross of every breed or type of dog described. It will however retain
the ban and mandatory destruction in relation to the American Pit bull
Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasiliero.
The plan also suggests fines for straying; licensing and
identification offences should be significantly increased with the
income from such fines being reinvested back into dog control
activities by the council.
In order for the recommendation to be acted upon the DDO states
“the Department shall consult with such persons or bodies as
appear to it to have relevant knowledge or experience, including a body
concerned with animal welfare, a body concerned with veterinary science
and practice and a body concerned with breeds of dogs.” These are
likely to include the Irish Kennel club and the USPCA.
UK based anti BSL group DDA Watch suggest those opposed to the
potential adding of breeds or types to any part of the DDO start now to
voice their concerns by writing to the relevant parties. For more
information or if you would like to use a template letter please email
mail@dangerousdogsact.co.uk

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