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MPs to debate petition on breed specific legislation
The Government has responded negatively to the petition, defending its previous legislation.

The Government will respond to the 118,000 strong e-petition. 

On Monday 5 July, MPs will debate a petition asking for a replacement of breed specific legislation with a new statutory framework.

The debate will be opened by Elliot Colburn, Petitions Committee member, and Victoria Prentis, a Minister at DEFRA, will respond on the Government's behalf.

Gaining over 118,000 signatures, the original petition states:

"Breed Specific Legislation fails to achieve what Parliament intended, to protect the public. It focuses on specific breeds, which fails to appreciate a dog is not aggressive purely on the basis of its breed. It allows seizure of other breeds, but the rules are not applied homogeneously by councils.

“We need a system that focuses on the aggressive behaviour of dogs, and the failure of owners to control their dog, rather than the way a dog looks.”

The petition calls on the Government to reconsider a licensing system, stating: “The framework must be applied by local authorities the same, whereas currently some destroy dogs with no court order. It must be much more strictly controlled than it is currently. The system needs to be fairer for all, dogs and humans. We are touched by cases of people committing suicide over the current system.”

Responding negatively to the petition, the Government said: “The Government considers that prohibition on the four types of fighting dog under Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 should remain in place. This is supported by police who are responsible for enforcing the Act.”

British vets are joining the call for a 'deed not breed' approach, and the BVA and BSAVA recently updated their joint policy position on the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act to reflect this.

Among the BVA and BSAVA's recommendations are; repealing section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991), effectively enforcing and consolidating existing dog control legislation in the UK, establishing a centralised dog biting incident database, and promoting responsible ownership and safe dog-human interactions.

Lasting 90 minutes, the debate will take place in Westminster Hall from 6.15pm, and will be available to view on Parliament TV and YouTube 

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.