We were asked to join the panel for discussion on this issue. Some of you may be aware that the Dublin City Council wishes to ban their tenants from owning any of the 10 restricted breeds from the Control of Dogs Act. They also wish to implement compulsory spay/neutering and micro-chipping of these breeds.
We joined the debate with Councillor Kevin Humphreys who was the originator of the proposal and David Kenny a DSPCA inspector and dog warden.
I stated that we base our opinions on scientific fact and statistical proof. Dog Bans are proven not to work and the Netherlands have recently lifted their ban because of this. Other countries will follow. The study I quoted from is available on our website at
http://www.dogtrainingireland.ie/documents/klaussen1.pdf &
http://www.dogtrainingireland.ie/documents/klaussen2.pdf
We would recommend the following:
* Legislation that includes harsh penalties for those who allow their dogs to roam, in particular repeat offenders.
* A register of dogs that have a history of reactivity or questionable temperament and harsh penalties imposed on those owner’s whose dogs are not kept under control. These owners should be required to take steps to re-train and modify the dogs behaviour under the supervision of a qualified behaviourist. Temperment testing should be used.
* Repeat offenders should be seriously prosecuted
* Education of owners and incentives via a new licensing system to attend Puppy Socialisation and Obedience classes.
* Education of children on how to behave around dogs – this should be part of the school curriculum as standard.
* Incentives for breeders to breed for sound temperament and good health, this could be facilitated through the Recommendations for breeding establishments that has been sitting on a self since March 2005
This is something we feel strongly about. Breed Specific Ban’s are ineffective. The whole system needs to be revisited. We will be making ourselves available when and if the government decides to act.
|
Comments
