UK Update: Discredited Dangerous Dog Act becomes Dog Control Bill

The RSPCA reports that a new reading of the legislation to replace the 1991 Dangerous Dog Act, referred to as a “knee-jerk reaction to the public outcry that followed high profile attacks” by the writer of the new bill, Lord Redesdale, has cross-party support.

The Dangerous Dog Act punishes dogs for being “of a breed”, which is the worst kind of public policy.  It reminds me of the ridiculous and senseless cruelty sanctioned by Denver law–haven’t the legislators been confronted by mobs of angry citizens yet??–that has condemned to death approximately 2000 Pit Bull type dogs just for looking like Pit Bulls.

Groups like the RSPCA in the UK got together and told their legislators that this law was wrong and needed to be replaced.  Legislators agreed.  The Dog Control Bill places the responsibility on dog owners to be in control of their animals in public and private places, regardless of breed.  That’s why the RSPCA is behind it.  The bill now goes to committee, so we’ll see what comes out the other side of that process.

My hope is that the final dog control bill will be something that legislators in the US can use to bypass altogether the dangerous dog idea, and write responsible, effective legislation.  Public policy shouldn’t require that dogs who look  a certain way be wrenched from their family’s arms for no reason except that they have a certain appearance.