DANGEROUS DOGS ACT
You and your Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Some information to help you deal with situations
which may arise
Following the tragic events on Merseyside on 1st
January this year, there has again been some confusion between Staffordshire
Bull Terriers and other breeds\types of dogs. Apart from the difficulty some
people have in telling breeds of dog apart, many people, and some areas of the
press, do not understand the correct temperament of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. This sometimes leads them to believe that the Stafford is (or could be) a dangerous dog which should be
added to the list of banned breeds.
What should I do?
If you are challenged by someone who knows you own Staffords, or while you are walking your dogs, the most
important thing is to remain calm, keep your temper and make sure your dog is
under control. There will always be these sort of people either because the
media at the time may be highlighting any bull breed incident, so that they
mistakenly think that other breeds don`t bite, or
maybe some have had other incidents in the parks etc, when walking their own
dog.
Continue to act as normal and do not rise to this
sort of person; don`t lower yourself to their level.
Stay polite if asked about the breed and tell people how great they are with
people, and especially with children. If someone is being completely
unreasonable, just walk away; it does the breed no good to get into slanging matches in public.
Act responsibly by keeping your dog on a lead and out
of trouble. You may know your own dog to be trustworthy but if anything happens,
whether he starts it or not, he`ll get the blame
because of his breed.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are the 5th
most popular dog in the UK for good reason but unfortunately, there are some
owners the act irresponsibly and give us all a bad name
What about an “Amnesty”?
The Merseyside Police carried out a `dog amnesty` and
some other Councils are thought to be considering amnesties. Dog owners in the
area are asked to hand over any dog they feel may be a `pit bull type` dog to
the police, without fear of prosecution.
You must understand that if you hand over your
dog. HE WILL BE KILLED.
What If my dog is seized?
The provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, still
apply in that if you do not hand over your dog under an amnesty and it is later
seized, you are still under no legal obligation to sign seized dogs over for
destruction. If you sign over ownership of your dog it will be destroyed.
If you don`t sign your dog
over, you have the right to a Court hearing. Only a court can order the destruction of your
dog. It may
be possible for the court to order the registration of your dog onto the Index
of Exempted Dogs, proving that he or she poses no threat to the public and
certain requirements can be met.
How can I prove that my dog is a Staffordshire
Bull Terrier?
If your dogs breed is questioned by the Police or Dog
Warden, just explain that it is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. If you need to
“prove it”, most police forces will accept your KC Registration papers or the opinion
of a Championship Show Judge. If you don`t have
papers, or have mislaid them, contact the Secretary of the Potteries
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club or any committee member. They will arrange for
someone to look at your dog and give the police an opinion as to whether it is
a Stafford.
What if my dog is not good with other dogs?
If your dog is not happy around other dogs, KEEP IT ON A LEAD AT ALL TIMES. No Stafford should be aggressive with people. If you are at all
worried about your dogs behaviour, seek professional
help.
What is happening with the Dangerous Dogs Act?
For several years a study Group (comprising of the
Metropolitan Police service, the Kennel Club, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, Royal
Collage of Veterinary Surgeons, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, RSPCA, Wandsworth Borough Council) has been working towards
changes in legislation. The long term aim is to see all breed specific
references eventually removed from dangerous dog legislation, concentrating on
irresponsible owners rather than type of dog, It is expected that proposals
will be ready for presentation to government later in 2007.
What about the Breed Council?
The Breed Council’s, official statement on breed
specific legislation is;
1 – We oppose the entire principle of breed specific
legislation believing that this deflects the debate about public safety away
from human and dog behaviour, focusing instead merely on appearance;
2 – Where breed specific legislation is imposed by
government we reserve the right to explain why Staffordshire Bull Terriers
should not be proscribed.
Please
remember
KEEP YOUR DOG UNDER
CONTROL,
REMAIN CALM,
KEEP YOUR TEMPER,
DON`T BE BULLIED INTO
HANDING OVER YOUR DOG,
IF IN DOUBT, SEEK ADVICE.
