Government wants competence tests before you can own a dog

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Now the Government wants competence tests before you can be a dog owner

Every dog owner will have to take a costly ‘competence test’ to prove they can handle their pets, under new Government proposals designed to curb dangerous dogs.

Owners of all breeds would also have to buy third-party insurance in case their pet attacked someone, and pay for the insertion of a microchip in their animal recording their name and address.

The proposals are among a range of measures to overhaul dog laws in England and Wales being considered by senior Ministers, who are expected to announce a public consultation within weeks.

But critics said responsible dog owners would be penalised by yet more red tape and higher bills – one expert estimated the extra costs at £60 or more – while irresponsible owners of dangerous dogs would just ignore the measures.

They added that genuine dog lovers could end up paying for efforts to control a small number of ‘devil dogs’ that terrorised socially deprived areas.

The RSPCA said last night it would welcome a review of legislation which has failed to curb the numbers of dangerous dogs that can attack, and sometimes kill, children and adults.

But a spokesman for the charity added: ‘We would not support anything that would hit sensible owners while failing to police those who are a danger.’

A government source said the proposals, contained in a confidential document headed Consultation On Dangerous Dogs, have been drawn up by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra).

They follow mounting public concern about the spate of serious injuries and deaths inflicted by dogs.

Police figures show an increase in the number of ‘status’ dogs used to intimidate or threaten others. According to the last available figures, there were 703 convictions for dangerously out of control dogs in 2007 – up from 547 in 2004.

Under the proposals, would-be owners would have to show they had a basic understanding of their dogs before being allowed to keep one.

The document says: ‘There have been suggestions for a competency test for all or some dog owners, akin to the driving theory test.’

But the document admits the cost of setting up such a scheme to cover Britain’s six million dog owners ‘is likely to be prohibitive’, and would have to be met by either charging for the test or by imposing a dog licence fee. Moreover, the officials concede that there were disagreements over what would constitute competence in looking after and controlling a dog.
dog

Taking the lead: The proposals are among a range of measures to overhaul dog laws

Third-party insurance would be less contentious, as owners of certain breeds of dogs are already required to take out such cover.

It is also included in the pet insurance taken out by owners to cover unforeseen vets’ bills and it can be bought for a little as £5, though it will be more expensive for larger and more powerful breeds.

In addition, many owners have had microchips implanted in the necks of their dogs – a process that costs about £30.

Other proposals due to be floated by the Government include giving the police and local authorities the power to impose Asbos on the owners of unruly dogs, and extending the law to cover attacks everywhere.

At the moment, dogs which attack people on private property where they are allowed to be are exempt from the law, despite the complaints from injured postmen.

There are also plans to boost the enforcement powers of police, the courts and local authorities.

As part of the proposed overhaul, all dog laws, including the Dangerous Dog Act 1991, often cited as an example of poorly drawn-up ‘knee jerk’ legislation, could be incorporated into a single law.

An RSPCA spokesman said: ‘We welcome a review but the problem is that while responsible owners will abide by the rules, inevitably you are going to get a fraternity that does not. There are always people who will buy a dog from their mate in a pub and won’t tell the authorities.

‘So the danger is that sensible owners will be out of pocket while irresponsible dog owners will ignore any new rules unless the policing of them is rigorous.’

He said, for example, that while the RSPCA encouraged the use of microchips, the system relied on owners keeping the information up to date.

‘It is no good finding an aggressive dog roaming the streets, perhaps having attacked someone, and going to the address on the microchip to find that the owner hasn’t lived there for years,’ he said.

The Kennel Club said that it was in favour of measures to promote responsible dog ownership, but that the competence tests sounded impractical.

A spokesman for Defra said: ‘We do not comment on leaked documents.’

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[Yahoorsur]

Sounds fine to me ,when me and the mrs wanted to take in a rescue dug from Balerno SSPCA,we had 2 visits from the inspectors to see if we would be resposible owners,but you know how the Mail will spin this 'Elf and safety madness,big government interfering in our lives again etc etc
Anything that can reduce the number of unwanted pooches is a good thing in my book,it may encourage folk to think twice before buying a dog.

[Blade Runner]

Another ploy by this government to get your hard earned money.

[Lounge Lizard]

Yes, but more useful would be a proper competance test before owning and driving a motor vehicle, not just the current easy peasy driving test but one that requires real skill and has to be retaken every several years and every year after the age 65. Don't forget that many many more people are killed by cars than by dogs.

[Stormproof]

Another ploy by this government to get your hard earned money.

Exactly what I was thinking

[Lounge Lizard]

Another ploy by this government to get your hard earned money.

Exactly what I was thinking

Not a new idea though.
I remember dog licenses at 7s 6d a year, 37.5p after decimalisation in 1971.

[Stormproof]

I remember my dog having a licence (waits for the dog driving jokes) back in the 80's, we had an Irish Wolfhound so we got our moneys worth with that

[DGP1]

Do you not have dog licences now Every year I have to renew the licences for my dogs.
And this story is from October last year
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8293563.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
New dog licence set to cost £50
By Martin Cassidy
Consumer Affairs Correspondent

Dog walking
The cost of dog licences is to go up ten-fold

The cost of a dog licence in Northern Ireland is set to increase 10-fold to £50.

New measures are also being introduced to tackle the growing problem of strays and violent attacks on people and other pets.

The new Dog Control Order would force owners to microchip their pets at a cost of £20-£30.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Nope dog licences went in England ages ago. However, if you have a car accident involving a dog you still have to report it, a hangover from when they used to have licenses.

[Badwolf]

Once again the majority get s*****d by the minority