Positive News - A parliamentary debate is to be scheduled and a new steering group has been formed in response to the latest End BSl UK Gov e-Petition, the latest response (March 2022) is as below:
The Government has set out details of a new steering group that has been established to provide advice on policies aimed at reducing dog attacks and promoting responsible ownership of dogs.
Read a letter from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, setting out details of the new steering group: https://committees.parliament.
The Secretary of State has said that the steering group held its first meeting on 24 February, and work is underway to form specialist subgroups to help inform the steering group's advice to the Government.
The Government has said it expects the work of the steering group to be concluded in early 2023, at which point the Government will consider its advice.
Why has this steering group been established?
This steering group has been established following the publication of Government-commissioned research by Middlesex University on responsible ownership across all breeds of dog.
Read Middlesex University's report: http://randd.defra.gov.uk/
The Government has set out details of the steering group in its response to a letter from the Petitions Committee asking what work the Government is doing to review laws governing dog ownership, including dangerous dogs legislation that prohibits certain types of dog. The Committee's request for more information about the Government's work in this area followed a number of petitions, including the one you signed, calling on the Government to review the law relating to dog ownership.
Read the Committee's letter: https://committees.parliament.
What happens next
A petition calling on the Government to repeal breed specific provisions in dangerous dogs legislation is currently waiting to be scheduled for debate.
As soon as the Committee has scheduled a debate on this petition, we will let you know.
