Kennel Club calls for protection for owners whose dogs bite burglars
FEARS have been raised that changes to the law could see dog owners face criminal charges if their animals bite burglars.
A draft Welsh Government bill would make it an offence to have a dangerously out of control dog in the home.
But the Kennel Club has said owners should have some protection under the law when dogs try to defend the home.
According to the Welsh government the measure is aimed at protecting people from an increasing number of attacks by dangerous dogs.
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It is proposed in the draft Control of Dogs (Wales) Bill, which is out to consultation until March 1.
It would amend the Dangerous Dogs Act which applies to public places, or private places where the dog is not meant to be. Allowing a dog to injure someone is punishable by up to two years in prison.
There is no offence under the act for a dangerous dog on private land where it is allowed to be.
The Welsh government points out the current act does not protect, for example, a postman coming to the door.
But the Kennel Club's communications director Caroline Kisko said: "There should be some kind of protection in place if your dog has a go at somebody who isn't entitled to be where they are."
Comments
by Philosoraptor
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 8:29PM
“Meant to say the discontent will not ease off...”
by Philosoraptor
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 8:28PM
“Despite this law proposal, the owner and the dog will not be punished even if the intruder died. Due to the precedents sent that now makes the law oblige home owners their right to kill an armed intruder, the dog will be seen as a weapon of defence within the home much like a kitchen knife is.
Both the government and judges know that conviction of the owner and extermination of a dog protecting it's family home would cause a storm that made Sandy look like a tropical breeze. Dog owners, potential owners, former dog owners and friends and family of dog owners would all go into a state of uproar and that discontent will ease off because for as long as the dog in every house is alive, everybody will know they are one armed burglary away from jail and their dog being out down.
So, let this law pass. It's intentions are good and common sense in justice will prevail just like the three recent incidents where homeowners did not go to trial for killing armed burglars in their homes.”
by brochadav
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 6:30PM
“There should be protection for somebody on private property who is meant to be there, there should never be a law that punishes a dog for protecting his owners and his home against intruders.”