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‘ASBO’ DOGS: IT’S THE WAR ON TERRIER!
Owners who breed pets to fight will face new crackdown
ASBO-style bans could soon be slapped on owners of dangerous dogs to stop increasing numbers who breed their pets for fighting.
It is part of a raft of tough measures proposed by the Town Hall and police to stop organised fights on Islington’s estates.
‘Professional witnesses’ could also be deployed to spy on – and then testify in court against – people who let their dogs foul the pavement.
Mobile CCTV vans will record every transgression of errant owners.
But one leading vet warned last night (Thursday) that the measures could incriminate law-abiding dog lovers.
Earlier this year, the council admitted that no one has been prosecuted, or given an £80 fixed penalty notice, for letting their dog foul the street.
Councillors say there are “difficulties” and significant expense in prosecuting owners who fall foul of council bylaws.
The increase in fighting dogs has become a major worry for the council’s animal welfare teams and police.
There were 22 reports of organised fights in the first four months of 2007, compared with just 16 all year in 2006.
In future, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) could ensure owners stay away from a specific areas and behave in a certain way.
Under the strict civil powers, council tenants can be evicted if they fail to comply.
Dale Barter, one of the borough’s most respected vets, who practises in Amwell Street, Clerkenwell, warned against
stigmatising particular breeds.
In 1987 he was asked by police to put down a tiny Jack Russell terrier .
Mr Barter said: “My concern is it will be easier to hit soft targets and council officers won’t be comfortable approaching the hoodies.
“Surveillance might be able to incriminate them but, as is the case with all surveillance, it could be used to monitor innocent people.”
Much of the policing and surveillance will be undertaken by the police Safer Neighbourhoods teams and council officers.
Labour councillor Wally Burgess, chairman of the sustainability review committee, said: “Dogs are not weapons or pieces of bling, they are companions.
“We know there are the ‘big boy’ fights, which is a whole criminal industry, and then youths who are using their dogs as a bit of bravado.”
In April, the committee heard that some youths hang their dogs from climbing frames to toughen them up.
Its recommendations will be sent for approval to the council’s executive, its decision-making body, next month.
Mr Barter said: “They have got a very difficult tightrope to walk to keep access to the whole borough for responsible dog owners.”
The new measures in partnership with the Dogs Trust are likely to include a comprehensive programme of education, including training events and classes, and an additional animal welfare post.
Councillor Ruth Polling, Lib Dem executive member for leisure and equalities, said: “We don’t want to stigmatise owners or specific breeds.
“We’ll be making it clear to owners how they must control and clear up after their animals to avoid a fine.” |
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