Monday 25 March 2024

Animal Welfare (Responsibility for Dog Attacks) Bill

 

A Private Members' Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP

A Bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to require a person in charge of a dog to take all reasonable steps to ensure that that dog does not fatally injure another dog; and for connected purposes.

This Bill started in the House of Commons and has it’s Second reading scheduled for 17th May 2024.

There is no publication of the Bill yet.



Thursday 21 March 2024

Bill's Second Reading - DDA Amendment

 Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (Amendment) Bill:

Sponsored by Sir Christopher Chope MP

A Bill to provide that, before making any order to designate a type of dog for the purposes of section 1 or 2 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, the Secretary of State must carry out a public consultation and publish a comparative review of data showing the incidences of fatalities resulting from bites of dogs of that type in the last three years.

The next stage for this Bill, Second reading, is scheduled to take place on Friday 22 March 2024.

This is a Private Members' Bill and was presented to Parliament on Monday 11 December 2023.




Thursday 14 March 2024

XL Bully Dogs - Neutering Deadlines Updated by DEFRA

14th March 2024 Information from DEFRA:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/neutering-deadlines-xl-bully-dogs


Extension to the neutering deadline for XL Bully dogs that were under seven months on the 31st January 2024

The deadline for neutering the youngest XL Bully dogs is to be extended following engagement with the veterinary industry.

The new deadline to neuter XL Bully dogs that were under seven months on the 31st January 2024 will be 30th June 2025. We will make this change through legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

This is to make sure we safely manage the existing XL Bully dog population, balancing the welfare of these animals with keeping people safe.

Neutering for older dogs remains the same. For dogs that were over 1 year on the 31st January 2024, this has to be done by the 30th June 2024, while dogs aged 7 – 12 months on the 31st January 2024 must be neutered by the end of 2024.

With just over three months before the first deadline of 30th June 2024, owners of older dogs are reminded to book an appointment with the vet in good time.

If evidence is not provided that the dog has been neutered by the relevant deadline, owners will be breaching the legal requirements to keep an XL Bully dog and it may be seized by the police.

It remains an offence to breed or rehome an XL Bully dog regardless of its age.




Wednesday 21 February 2024

Scotland - Breed Specific Legislation Update

 XL Bully - New Law Coming Into Force:

New rules will come into force on 23 February 2024 - subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament.

It will be an offence in Scotland to:

- have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle

- breed or breed from an XL Bully dog

- sell an XL Bully dog

- abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray

- give away an XL Bully dog

It will be illegal to rehome, sell, buy, or transfer ownership of an XL Bully dog to another person. Rehoming organisations can not rehome XL Bully dogs.

The definition used for an XL Bully dog is the same as the UK Government. 

If you are not sure if a dog in your care is an XL Bully, use the DEFRA GOV guide to check if a dog is an XL Bully.  If you are still unsure about your dog after doing this, it is recommended that you should follow the rules in the guide as a precaution.

Exemption certificates from 31 July 2024:

From 31 July 2024 you must have an exemption certificate - or have applied for one - to own an XL Bully dog. 

Full details about the exemption certificate scheme including the start date, costs and how to apply will be announced soon - the Scottish Government has not yet announced how owners will be able to apply for a Certificate of Exemption.



Wednesday 7 February 2024

Pet Abduction Bill - Latest Progress

 A Private Members’ Bill introduced by Anna Firth MP, to create offences of dog abduction and cat abduction and to confer a power to make corresponding provision relating to the abduction of other animals commonly kept as pets.

In January 2024 the Bill had taken a significant step forward with the announcement of government backing for new legislation.

The Pet Abduction Bill introduces new criminal offences in relation to the taking or detaining of a dog from the lawful control of any person. Anyone found guilty of stealing a pet will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

There is currently no legislation aimed at addressing pet theft specifically. Animals fall under the definition of property in legislation, and as such pet theft is dealt with under the Theft Act 1968.  Campaigners have called for stronger legislation that reflects the emotional value of pets to their owners and the distress associated with their theft.

Introduced into the House of Commons on 6th December 2023.

1st reading – was on 6th December 2023

2nd reading –  was on 19th January 2024

Committee Stage – 31st January 2024

The Bill is now due to have its report stage and third reading on Friday 23 February.

Amendments can be made to the Bill at Report Stage.

Amendments to be considered are selected by the Speaker.

Evidence from the Pet Theft Taskforce suggests that around 2,000 dog theft and over 400 cat theft crimes were reported to police in 2020, causing considerable distress for owners and their pets alike. With an estimated 28% of UK adults owning a dog and 24% owning a cat, pet theft is a major concern to the public.

 


Thursday 25 January 2024

Deadline to Apply to Exempt - Xl Bully Type Dogs Reminder

It is advised not to wait for any ongoing legal challenges - the application for a Judicial Review and we advise not to wait until last minute in case of any issues with your online application.

From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless your dog has a Certificate of Exemption.

NOON on 31st January 2024 is the deadline to submit the completed application online, to apply for a exemption certificate for an XL Bully type dog.

Apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully dog - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You need your dog's microchip number-if you don't have that ask your vet to scan the dog for you.

If your dog is less than 8 weeks old when you apply for a Certificate of Exemption, you’ll have until 31 March 2024 to give the microchip number to Defra. Email the microchip number to dogsindex@defra.gov.uk or post it to the Dogs Index.

You need the 3rd party liability insurance cover in the same name as the person who will be applying for the exemption certificate. This is obtained by becoming a member of the Dogs Trust Companion Club, apply online on the Dogs Trust website. £25 per person per year, covers up to four dogs. Dogs Trust will email you confirmation and policy number and start date (date your payment clears).

You dog doesn't have to be neutered now to apply for the exemption certificate.

There is a one-off application fee of £92.40 per dog, this has to be paid first online-you will then be given a payment reference number which you use for your application:

Make a payment - Pay the application fee for a Certificate of Exemption for your XL Bully dog (payments.service.gov.uk)

DEFRA Photo:







Monday 8 January 2024

XL Bully type - exemption applications

Keeping an XL Bully type dog:

Government guidance on checking if your dog is a XL Bully type

If after checking the guidance and photos you’re still not sure if your dog is an XL Bully, you should take a precautionary approach and apply for a Certificate of Exemption. This includes puppies that may grow up to be an XL Bully. You cannot use DNA test results to prove if your dog is a banned breed type. You must use the dog’s physical characteristics and appearance to work out if it’s an XL Bully dog.



All Xl Bully type dogs (all ages including puppies) have to be muzzled and leashed, with the lead held by someone over the age of 16yrs, in all public places, which includes inside a vehicle in a public place, this is a legal requirement which began on (and included) the 31st December 2023, it applies regardless to whether the dog has been exempted during the transition period which ends at midday on 31st January 2024. Help with muzzle training here.

If you are not sure whether your dog meets the criteria set out by the Government, it is recommended that you apply for exemption and follow the rules as a precautionary measure, to keep your dog safe.

Application closing dates are as follows, rescue and rehoming organisations have their own separate process and deadline date-details are on the Gov website.

If you apply for a Certificate of Exemption online you must complete and submit your application to DEFRA Dogs Index by midday on 31 January 2024.

If you apply by email or post, you must make sure Defra receives your application by 15 January 2024.

To get a Certificate of Exemption you will need:

* To pay the £92.40 fee for each dog, you need the payment reference number to proceed. The fee is not refundable.

* Third party public liability insurance cover for your dog is needed, this can be obtained via the Dogs Trust membership/companion club - £25 per year, in the name of the dog’s owner, it covers up to four dogs and is renewed each year to keep the exemption certificate valid. You will be given a policy number and start date (when your payment clears) from the Dogs Trust. Details to join are here.

* You must make sure your dog is fitted with a microchip and registered on a database - if you’re not sure if your dog is microchipped, you should ask your vet to scan your dog for you, you need your microchip number, details should be up to date on the microchip company database – ask your vet to scan your dog if you do not know your microchip number, contact the microchip company if you need to update the details held.

Dogs less than 8 weeks old - If your dog is less than 8 weeks old when you apply for a Certificate of Exemption, you’ll have until 31 March 2024 to give the microchip number to Defra. Email the microchip number to dogsindex@defra.gov.uk or post it to the Dogs Index Defra will send you a new Certificate of Exemption when you provide the microchip number.

Your dog does NOT have to be neutered to apply for an exemption certificate during the transition period – there are two deadline dates to neuter your dog by in order for your certificate of exemption to remain valid, these are:

* dog less than 1 year old on 31 January 2024 - it must be neutered by 31 December 2024

* dog older than 1 year old on 31 January 2024 - it must be neutered by 30 June 2024

A vet must confirm if your dog is already neutered:

Once your XL Bully dog has been neutered, you and your vet will need to fill in the confirmation of neutering form. Your vet should then return the form to Defra.

If your dog has already been neutered, you and your vet must fill in the confirmation of neutering form. The vet should return the form to Defra.

If the vet is unable to return the form, the owner of the dog can return it to Defra Dogs Index.

Apply for a certificate of exemption online here - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-certificate-of-exemption-to-keep-an-xl-bully-dog