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Dogs Registration Bill to have second reading
Angry dog
Income raised from registration would be used for dog welfare and the prevention of dog attacks.
Bill would require all dogs to be registered annually

The Dogs (Registration) Bill, put forward by MP Julie Hilling, is expected to have its second reading debate in Parliament today (January 9).

The Bill would require all dogs to be registered annually, with the intention that income raised from registration would fund the enforcement of conditions and penalties imposed on those who own dogs and fail to control them.

The Bill was introduced to Parliament in November 2014 under the Ten Minute Rule, which allows an MP to make his or her case for a new bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes.

Bolton West MP Julie Hilling has led the campaign for tighter legislation on dangerous dogs since a fatal dog attack in her constituency.  

If the Bill is passed, all dogs will have to be microchipped and dogs would have to be registered in an annual basis for a small fee - which would in turn be used for dog welfare and the prevention of dog attacks.

Whilst the RSPCA is in favour of dog licences or an annual registration fee, the Kennel Club has criticised the Bill, saying that it does not support the annual registration as a means of achieving enforcement.  

In a statement, released yesterday (9 January), The Kennel Club said that they would prefer to see an overhaul of current dog control legislation, to update and consolidate existing laws to bring in more preventative measures to protect the public and dog welfare.
 
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "Whilst dog attacks that cause fatalities are a tragedy, they are also very rare and we don't believe that knee-jerk legislation should be the response - it was this approach that led to the highly flawed and much-criticised Dangerous Dogs Act in the first place.

"In the vast majority of fatal dog attacks, which in themselves are extremely rare, the dog's owner is known to the victim, meaning that registration details would not be required to identify the owner anyway, so we do not believe that incidents of this type would be prevented in further this way."

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.