Recommendations for dangerous dogs law
Cats Protection has welcomed the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee's suggestion that the law on dangerous dogs be extended to cover animals.
While the Draft Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Bill is currently out for scrutiny, Efra has recommended in a report that the law should include dog attacks that injure any protected animal – including cats.
Protected animals are defined as any animal with a backbone, other than man. Therefore, this includes mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and amphibians but does not apply to animals in foetal, larval or embryonic form.
Jacqui Cuff, advocacy manager at Cats Protection, said: "We very much welcome this recommendation and are pleased that the issue was raised in yesterday's House of Commons debate.
"On average there is one reported fatal dog attack on a cat every week in England alone and, tragically, the current law does not provide adequate protection from such attacks."
The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) has not yet responded as to whether the Bill will be extended to cover protected animals.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
