Wayne David calls for immediate UK Government action on
dangerous dogs legislation:
Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, has today called for
the UK Government to take “immediate action” on dangerous dogs.
Mr David was speaking at a webinar organised by the London
based Public Policy Exchange. The event was attended by experts from local
government, academia, the civil service and animal welfare organisations.
Mr David said, “Given the fatalities and the number of
serious attacks by dangerous dogs, it is now imperative that the UK Government
take meaningful action. I have raised the issue with the Prime Minister on the
floor of the House of Commons, and he has stated that the Government will be
considering recommendations from an expert working group “later in the year”.
This is not good enough. There have been many debates and discussions, there
have been academic papers commissioned and published, and there has been
extensive consultation. Now is the time for action.
“There is, I believe, an emerging consensus among
politicians of all parties, that there needs to be a new approach to the issue
of dangerous dogs. There is now a need to go beyond breed specific legislation
and, instead, adopt a far reaching and comprehensive approach that places
responsibilities on dog owners and which recognises that ‘all’ dogs should be
included in future legislation.”
