Two years on and still no action on dangerous dogs laws

Alliance Deputy Leader Assembly Member Naomi Long has demanded that dangerous dogs legislation be strengthened urgently. Two years ago she called for the laws to be tightened but no action whatsoever has been taken by government. Her calls follow a recent attack on a dog by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier in Holywood exposed the weakness in the legislation. Currently legislation on dangerous dogs only covers attacks on humans and livestock, but not on other dogs.

The East Belfast Assembly Member said: “Two years ago I highlighted the urgent need for government to strengthen dangerous dogs laws. The government have done nothing in this period to tighten this legislation.

“At the moment humans and livestock are protected by these laws, but other dogs which are attacked are not covered by them.

“The loopholes in this law must be closed to ensure that adequate provisions exist on dangerous dogs.

“Its time to crackdown on owners who do not keep their dogs under control. The current legislation is far too lenient on the people who let dangerous dogs run wild.

“We should not have to wait until someone else is attacked by a dangerous dog for the government to wake up to this problem and act to strengthen these laws.”

ENDS