Glad to hear your daughter is out of hospital and on the mend. I hope that this incident doesn't leave her with a fear of all dogs.I understand and share your concern about the situation, but unfortunately, unless the authorities put resources into the enforcement of such proposals, they will actually be worse than useless. The number of "pit-bull" type dogs being paraded round our streets by idiots, or being owned as "protection" by local drug dealers, is a clear indication that the present DDA legislation has not worked in the slightest. If it had, such "breeds" would have died out by now, but the backyard breeders are still producing them and flogging them off in pubs openly and freely.The only people who actually took any notice of the DDA legislation were those responsible breeders and owners whose dogs were not a problem and who abided by the rules and neutered their dogs and kept them muzzled and on lead. All the DDA has done in reality, is ensure that responsible individuals do not breed, leaving the "market" open to those who don't give a toss about the law.I think dog licences are a good idea, but, again, unless the authorities are prepared to police this strenuously, it will have about as much effect on the "Chavs" as does legislation about TV licences, car tax and motor insurance - in other words, the only people who will abide by the rules will be those law-abiding citizens whose dogs are not a problem in any case. Those who are irresponsible owners will carry on being irresponsible with little or no comeback.Any reputable and responsible dog breeders already ensure that any pups they produce are Kennel Club registered, microchipped, vaccinated and temperament tested. Again, legislation in this direction will only affect people who are doing the right thing anyway. I cannot see the authorities putting in the appropriate resources needed to police the backyard breeders who don't give a toss, so nothing would change.I'm also not convinced about the targetting of "pit-bull" type breeds. Any breed of dog in the wrong hands can become dangerous and vicious (the breed responsible for most dog bites in the US is the cuddly Black Labrador). Our motto here should be "punish the deed, not the breed." Staffordshire Terriers, for example should have a loving, child friendly disposition, but I have seen Staffies "trained" by drug dealers to become vicious attack dogs. Unfortunately this area of law is like so many others. The actions of a tiny minority are used to create laws which end up only affecting those who abide by them in any case, leaving the lawless free to continue with their irresponsible behaviour.
Mick Brent ● 6473d