dangerous dogs

[sparks01]

so if we have laws for dangerous dogs do we have laws for dangerous dog owners - just a thought

[kimthecat]

  I've had a terrific barny last week  with one of my neighbours about letting her bullying GSD rough up my little dogs . I dont blame her dog cos shes at fault for not putting it on a lead when small dogs are about .
 

[sarahhound]

We don't. I wish they would change the laws though, there doesn't seem to be any sense behind them at all. All knee-jerks!

[Kimmikins]

I think they're trying to bring in legislation that means that owners of dangerous dogs (and by this I mean dogs who have caused injury to other dogs or people) will face heavier sentences....but of course that means that the dog has to have reached the point where they've done damage, sadly there's nothing for dog owners who are just plain dangerous

[baileysworkworld]

Many councils are now bringing in 'contracts' for dog owners that are being a nuisance. If the council, or dog warden has had more than one complaint about a dog, the owners can be approached by the dog warden and can be either taken to court, or fined for not being in control of their dog (against most bylaws, I think)or they can be given the option of agreeing to a contract. This will include things that are agreed by both owner and council, depending on the nature of complaints. For example, if a dog is getting out of the garden and roaming loose, there can be a clause that says they must repair fencing. Or if the dog is intimidating people then they can agree to keep it on a lead. If a dog seems out of control, it can be put in the contract that they must attend dog training classes.

One of the main reasons complaints against dogs are not taken very seriously is that it is very hard for dog wardens to get proof of the complaint. The reasons more councils are now looking into these contracts is that most owners will see it as a better option than going through courts of fines, but must sign papers which detail the complaint. If they then breach the order (which some will do) the dog warden can go straight to court with the signed evidence that the owner has allowed the dog to be out of control, or been roaming, or what ever the problem was, and then will have a very high chance of winning a case against the said owner, where as before, they would have had no evidence and so had a very costly, court case with little chance of winning.


I would just like to point out that I am talking about the very small percentage of dog owners who give all us, good and responsible ones a bad name. There is a very clear distinction between the good, responsible dog owners and the bad, irresponsible ones.

[Adrianne]

I like our dog warden ...or 'Animal welfare officer' as she is now known, but I have to say I wouldn't do her job .. she has to follow up on all complaints and some are just nasty neighbour disputes, I recently attended one where the owners of the 'accused' dog asked for me to assess the behaviour and obedience so that they could stop the neighbours from making complaints ..
The dog was absolutely great ..I did a four hour assessment and bought in a stooge etc....I worked in the street so that the neighbours could see, they had wasted the wardens time ..my time and the owners were in their 80's they were so upset by it all.   the neighbourhood dispute has gone on for years. ..not fair to take it out on a dog, esp as said dog warden had said that the dog had must be on a muzzle at all times out of doors until corrective measure are taken....( I was the corrective measures)  `                    

[Kimmikins]

How mean of those neighbours to take a dispute to such a level!