3 replies to this topic

[cycas]

The website http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk/ is for people to suggest laws they would like to see repealed .

I have sent in a suggestion that section one of the DDA should be repealed - http://yourfreedom.h...s-act-dda-1991/

You can register and send in your own idea, or you can rate or comment on mine! The site is rather slow at the moment, I think they are having problems with volume, so this is what I said. I'm not claiming I've got it 100% right, but I've done me best.


Repeal Section One of the Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) 1991

This law says that certain dogs are subject to additional restrictions, based on their appearance (not breeding or temperament). As a result of the 1997 amendment to this act, owners may keep their dogs if they are of an illegal 'type' if they go through an emotionally distressing and expensive legal process. Dogs of this type cannot be rehomed.

Why I think this law should be removed

• It has failed to do what it was supposed to do (restrict ownership of dangerous dogs),
• It is unscientific and badly expressed, so it is difficult for people to know if they are breaking it.
• it has wasted a great deal of police time and money,
• it has caused hardship to animals and owners
• it creates a confusion in the public mind between a dog that is dangerous, and a dog that isan illegal shape.
• It puts owners who are unable to keep a dog as a result of genuine financial hardship or illness into an impossible situation, and also forces rescue workers and volunteers into a position where they can easily end up on the wrong side of the law.

Dogs that are an illegal shape

• may have responsible owners and be highly trained
• may not have been deliberately purchased: it's impossible to tell if a puppy will be illegal when he grows up
• may be crosses between legal breeds such as labrador, Boxer, staffordshire bull terrier
• can only be confirmed as illegal by an expensive legal process involving expert witnesses.

This law is unfair, because it targets a shape of dog that is probably more likely to be owned by people who are already relatively poor and marginalised. Government by consent is seriously damaged when the police seize well trained and well behaved family pets.


Why the contribution is important
Repealing this law would save money, as the police would no longer need to kennel dogs while their status is decided.

• http://www.dogstrust...dharrisdda.aspx
• http://news.bbc.co.u...don/8681520.stm

Repealing this law would be kinder to children and animals : for example:

• http://www.savelennox.co.uk/
• http://www.endangere...DDRDDAOscar.htm
• http://www.thebolton...ve_for_pet_dog/

Repealing this law would help resolve the public confusion between illegal dogs anddangerous dogs, thus helping with public safety and allowing police resources to be concentrated on dogs that are actually causing problems.

Repealing this law would make dogs that are of an illegal shape less desirable to irresponsible owners who consider illegality to confer glamour.

Government by consent is seriously damaged when the police seize well trained and well behaved family pets.

[Rumpole]

well said

im going to add mine and rate yours tomorrow and would urge others to do the same

[cycas]

If anyone would like to rate my suggestion or submit your own, the site is fast enough to be usable today (it more or less fell over yesterday with the sheer weight of grumpy people complaining about laws )

[BillyMalc]

Rated and added my own comments - to yours as well as a few other suggestions. Have a nosey, there is one that wants tail docking being allowed again, because obviously "dogs' tails get hurt" - so best to remove them as a precaution then eh?