MSP’s dogs bill will place focus on the deed, not the breed

MSP Christine Grahame has officially launched the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill today (Monday) that will place a legislative focus on the deed, rather than the breed of dogs and hold dog owners to account. Inspector Mike Flynn of the SSPCA and two Staffordshire Bull Terriers a breed often mistaken as a listed dangerous dog, joined Ms Grahame at the launch.

The Bill is being reintroduced after Alex Neil MSP, the member who first proposed the Bill, became Minister for Communities and is therefore not permitted to pursue this legislation as an individual member. Ms Grahame said:
“This is a very important Bill and I am very happy to promote it and take this forward.

“This Bill importantly places the onus on the owners, not the dogs, to ensure they are properly controlled. There was a very large gap in the Dangerous Dogs Act where there was a lack of protection against attack on private property. This means that the postman, the gas man, or any tradesman visiting the dog's home can be attacked, without criminal charges being brought against the owner.

“My proposed Bill will close that loophole and ensure greater protection for a wide range of people.

“The focus of this proposed legislation is on the deed not the breed, an aspect that is entirely lacking from the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act. The Bill will offer a flexible range of Control Orders, like ASBOs for dogs, that will provide practical measures to stop dogs getting out of control and place the focus on the owner.”