Don’t let disparate few shatter the joy of dog ownership!

The Pet Care Trust, the leading pet care education charity, welcomed the Consultation on Dangerous Dogs published by Defra today and sees the review of the Dangerous Dogs Act as long overdue. However, the Pet Care Trust is concerned that the proposals for compulsory microchipping and insurance will create unnecessary burdens on the vast majority of pet owners who do behave responsibly.

‘There are merits in insuring and microchipping your dog, but making this compulsory would have the effect of penalising responsible pet owners – and potentially criminalising those who are financially vulnerable,’ said Janet Nunn, chief executive of the Pet Care Trust. ‘The costs involved could be devastating for those in low income households, meaning that some would have to consider giving their pets up or having them put to sleep.

‘Why should the behaviour of a small irresponsible minority mean that an older person living alone with just their harmless pet for companionship has to foot a bill for microchipping and insurance – or risk losing their pet? Many dog owners will comply with the proposed legislation whilst the irresponsible few will not and will thus avoid the costs involved. There has to be a better way of tackling the problem.

‘Whilst the Trust supports microchipping (as stated in our submission to the Bateson inquiry) and believes it is the best way of identifying a dog, we do not believe that it should be made mandatory for all. The present legal requirement for dogs in public to wear a collar and tag showing the owner’s name and address is perfectly serviceable for the vast majority of dogs and their owners. Whilst microchipping is desirable, it would be disproportionate to criminalise those who cannot afford to comply. We also fail to see the necessity of annual checks on microchipped dogs, which would make this even more costly for the pet owner.

‘As for pet insurance, most responsible owners insure, but we shouldn’t criminalise those who choose not to.

‘Every dog owner has a duty of care to their animal and a responsibility to society, but it would be wrong to allow a few bad elements to hinder the benefits that 8 million dog owners in the UK enjoy. Dogs are good for your health: research shows dog owners (especially pensioners) make fewer visits to the doctor, experience lower levels of stress and have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than non pet owners. There is also evidence to suggest that young people particularly benefit physically, emotionally and socially from living with dogs and learning about responsible pet ownership. These benefits to society (and the NHS) should not be overlooked.’

/ends

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 Notes to Editors:

·         The Pet Care Trust works to promote responsible pet ownership through our education programme and has 1500 pet care companies in membership, mostly micro businesses such as pet shops, grooming salons, kennels and catteries, colleges, wholesalers, and manufacturers.  For more information visit our website: www.petcare.org.uk