Proposed by Councillor Brian Kenny

Seconded by Councillor Jean Stapleton

(1)  All dogs are potentially dangerous. The risk varies according to size, breed characteristics, and conditioning by owners. Present legislation has largely failed as every year cases occur in which other pets, and in many cases children, are attacked and injured, maimed, or even killed. Present legislation is concerned insufficiently with owner control. Enforcement of controls on breed types is difficult to enforce both because it is easily ignored and because breed variation and cross breeding produces difficulty of identification.

(2)  Members of the public wishing to take ownership of a dog from charitable organisations are first interviewed, and their homes are inspected to establish through a highly responsible process whether they are suitable for dog ownership. However, dog ownership is not controlled in the ‘market place’ and it is a simple matter to acquire almost any breed of dog. This leads not only to irresponsible persons acquiring potentially dangerous animals but also to irresponsible care and behaviour of the animals resulting in fouling in public places.

(3)  Council notes that the former dog-license regime was little more than a form or taxation and its restoration would be of no value. Council calls on the government to consider, in consultation with the RSPCA and other responsible animal care organisations, the phased introduction of a modern licensing system such that persons are licensed to become dog owners on lines similar to the inspection regimes used by charitable dog rescue organisations.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7 (2)

Proposed by Councillor Dave Mitchell

Seconded by Councillor Alan Brighouse

Delete all and insert:

(1)  Council notes that keeping a dog brings great pleasure and companionship to many pet owners and their families, and that most dog owners take their responsibilities very seriously with regard to ensuring their animals are well behaved and well looked after.

(2)  Council notes that irresponsible dog ownership leads to irresponsible dog behaviour.

(3)  Council supports the efforts of the RSPCA in its animal welfare work and supports their prosecution of people who mistreat their pets.

(4)  Council supports the increased dog warden service and welcomes the work being done to reduce irresponsible dog and dog owner behaviour in our streets and parks.

(5)  Council believes the previous dog licensing scheme had no effect on these issues and can see no benefit in introducing a new scheme of licensing of dogs or their owners.

(6)  Council would rather resources are spent improving the current welfare arrangements for animals than on a new bureaucratic and expensive licensing regime and notes that Government consultation has already taken place this year on “Tackling irresponsible dog ownership”. Council looks forward to the outcome of this consultation.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7 (8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and lost (7:53) (one abstention)

Resolved (53:7) (one abstention) –

(1)  All dogs are potentially dangerous. The risk varies according to size, breed characteristics, and conditioning by owners. Present legislation has largely failed as every year cases occur in which other pets, and in many cases children, are attacked and injured, maimed, or even killed. Present legislation is concerned insufficiently with owner control. Enforcement of controls on breed types is difficult to enforce both because it is easily ignored and because breed variation and cross breeding produces difficulty of identification;

(2)  Members of the public wishing to take ownership of a dog from charitable organisations are first interviewed, and their homes are inspected to establish through a highly responsible process whether they are suitable for dog-ownership. However, dog ownership is not controlled in the ‘market place’ and it is a simple matter to acquire almost any breed of dog. This leads not only to irresponsible persons acquiring potentially dangerous animals but also to irresponsible care and behaviour of the animals resulting in fouling in public places; and

(3)  Council notes that the former dog-license regime was little more than a form or taxation and its restoration would be of no value. Council calls on the government to consider, in consultation with the RSPCA and other responsible animal care organisations, the phased introduction of a modern licensing system such that persons are licensed to become dog owners on lines similar to the inspection regimes used by charitable dog rescue organisations.