The RSPCA has renewed calls for the UK Government to take urgent action to protect the public after a number of tragic incidents involving dogs.
The charity – which runs the #EndBSL campaign and is a member of the Dog Control Coalition – believes a reported rise in dog bite incidents over the last two years (since the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown) highlights that current dog control laws – including breed-specific legislation (BSL) which prohibits the keeping of four types of dogs due solely to their breed – is not fit for purpose.
Recently, there have been worrying calls to expand the list of banned types – but the #EndBSL coalition believes focussing on the type of dog, rather than their individual actions, is a flawed and failing approach.
The groups have renewed calls for the UK Government to move away from legislation that labels certain types of dogs as dangerous due to their type and, instead, promotes responsible dog ownership. While the Government has established a steering group to look at how to reduce dog attacks and encourage responsible dog ownership, we are deeply concerned by the omission of BSL as part of the Steering Groups’ remit. The failure to include BSL as part of discussions around dog control and possible policy reform is misguided and ignores the wealth of evidence which illustrates the failures in breed specific approaches. .
RSPCA dog welfare expert and lead author of the Breed Specific Legislation: A Dog’s Dinner report, Dr Sam Gaines, said: “We’re devastated by the number of fatal incidents involving dogs over recent months and believe it’s a clear sign that the current dog control legislation in the UK is flawed, outdated and ineffective.
“What’s really concerning are recent calls to expand the list of banned types. We need to acknowledge the scientific evidence in this area which has shown that breed is not a good predictor of risk. Legislation that targets certain types of dogs is fundamentally flawed and lulls the public into a false sense of security that some dogs are dangerous and others are safe.
“We need legislation that better protects public safety and dog welfare, ensures responsible dog ownership, allows better education to keep people safe around dogs, and allows early intervention to help dogs with behavioural concerns. This includes measures that deter and punish owners of dogs whose behaviour is deemed dangerous however these cannot be breed specific in approach.”
In the UK, BSL currently bans the ownership of four different types of dogs: pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero – regardless of their behaviour. It was introduced in a bid to crackdown on the number of dog attacks in the UK, but NHS data shows that the number of hospital admissions due to dog-related injuries has increased since it was introduced. In the past 10 years alone, the number of admissions rose 30% from 6,640 to 8,655 (2011-12 to 2021-22).
Presently, if a dog is suspected of being of banned type they are typically assessed by a police dog legislation officer against a list of criteria. If they are identified as being of a prohibited type then their owner must apply to have them exempted through the courts and, if approved, must adhere to a strict set of rules such as always keeping them on lead and muzzled when in public.
Sadly, the law makes it illegal for these types of dogs to be rehomed – meaning rehoming organisations must heartbreakingly euthanise them – and their ownership cannot easily be transferred to someone else should an owner be unable to care for them.
