MP submits dangerous dog report to Government (From This Is Local London)

Streatham MP Chuka Umunna submits Lambeth Council dangerous dog report to Government

11:58am Sunday 12th February 2012 in News

Streatham MP Chuka Umunna

A council report into rising numbers of incidents relating to dangerous dogs has been submitted to the Government to help it form new dog laws.

Streatham MP Chuka Umunna submitted the report, produced by Lambeth Council, which examines how to deal with rising numbers of incidents relating to the control of dogs to Jim Paice, the minister responsible for the control of dogs.

Mr Umunna wrote to Mr Paice asking him to give the report his full consideration, after he responded to parliamentary questions posed by Mr Umunna as to what steps the Government are considering taking relating to the control of dogs.

The report submitted by Mr Umunna was produced by the council's Dogs Scrutiny Commission, which was set up to examine how to deal with the rising number of incidents involving dogs in a manner that recognized the valuable role dogs play in many people’s lives and that the majority of dog owners are responsible dog owners.

The commission was formed of an investigative panel made up of four Lambeth Councillors, and was chaired by councillor Imogen Walker. In preparing the report the panel received contributions from the RSPCA, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the Metropolitan Police Status Dogs Units, as well as other experts and, importantly, local residents.

Mr Umunna has asked the Minister to write to him once he has considered the report, detailing how it has informed the Government’s position on the control of dogs.

He said: "My constituents deserve the safety and confidence that comes from living in a community that has responsible dog ownership where all dogs are under control. The report I submitted to the Government could and should be used to inform the Government when it brings forward legislation on this issue."

"I am pleased that, by submitting the report produced by Councillor Walker and the other members of the commission, I can help to ensure that we have national legislation that will improve the quality of life for people living in my constituency."

"I hope that the Government will develop sensible and effective policy on the control of dogs and I will ensure that at all times they are informed by the needs and local knowledge of our community in Lambeth." Coun Walker said: "I am delighted that Chuka is looking into this issue and I hope the Minister will find the report of Lambeth's Dogs Commission helpful when considering improvements to the current legislation.

"The commission's findings, backed up by experts such as the RSPCA and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, has already had an impact in Lambeth. Encouraging responsible dog ownership both promotes animal welfare and helps people to feel safe and secure in our public spaces."