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Specialist training for police to tackle dangerous dogs

   

NEWS RELEASE

Ref: 178/09
Date: 31 July 2009

Police officers will receive specialist training to become designated Dog Legislation Officers who will provide expert advice on dangerous dogs cases and legislation, Animal Welfare Minister Jim Fitzpatrick announced today.

The Association of Chief of Police Officers (ACPO) will receive £20,000 from Defra to help deliver the training which will ensure officers have a thorough understanding of current dangerous dogs legislation, as well as best practice enforcement techniques.

Guidance for enforcers, published in April, recommended that it was good practice for every police force to have, or have access to, a designated Dog Legislation Officer (DLO) who had a good knowledge of the law and how it could be best used to protect public safety.

Mr Fitzpatrick said:

“I am determined to crack down on irresponsible dog ownership and ensure that those who use dogs to injure people are dealt with rigorously. I know that this training will get us one step closer to better enforcement of dangerous dogs laws. 

“When we undertook a significant review of dangerous dogs legislation with the police in 2007 it was clear that, while the legislation was sound, more needed to be done to raise awareness of the law and improve enforcement.”

Defra recently commissioned new research into dog aggression against humans.  The project will last for 15 months and will entail an analytical study into the risk factors associated with past aggressive dog behaviour towards people.

Notes to editors

    1.   The ‘Dangerous Dogs Law - Guidance for Enforcers’ and the ‘Control of Dogs – The Law and You’ documents can be viewed on the Defra website at: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/domestic/dogs.htm

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    Page published: 31 July 2009