Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Breed Specific Legislation — [Ian Paisley in the Chair]

05 July 2021 · 2 other contributors · 5,774 words

Opened by Elliot Colburn Con Carshalton and Wallington

Responding minister: Victoria Prentis

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Elliot Colburn raised concerns about breed specific legislation — [ian paisley in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the impact of breed-specific legislation on families and communities in Middlesbrough East due to dog attacks involving dogs classified as dangerous breeds.
  • Statistics show that over 166,498 signatures were collected for a petition highlighting public concern about breed-specific legislation.
  • Elliot Colburn urges the government to conduct a comprehensive review of breed-specific laws within six months, proposing alternative measures based on scientific evidence.

Key requests to Government

I urge the government to conduct a comprehensive review of breed-specific laws and their effectiveness in reducing dog-related incidents, proposing alternative measures based on scientific evidence rather than breed alone. I ask for this review to be completed within six months. Colburn asks the Government to consider suggestions made by petitioners, including reversing the burden of proof, ensuring timely release of seized dogs, informing owners fully about their rights and processes, prioritising cases for quicker resolution, and establishing a facility staffed by canine welfare experts with transparency in dog care.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Elliot Colburn Con Carshalton and Wallington

I am concerned about the impact of breed-specific legislation on families and communities, particularly in my constituency where dog attacks are a serious issue. In Middlesbrough East, there have been incidents involving dogs classified as dangerous breeds leading to injuries or fear among residents. The statistics show that over 166,498 signatures were collected for the recent petition highlighting public concern about such legislation. Elliot Colburn is concerned that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 fails to achieve its intended purpose of protecting public safety by focusing on specific dog breeds rather than addressing irresponsible ownership. He notes that only 8% of legal cases brought under the Act involve the banned breeds, while hospital admissions due to dog attacks have risen significantly since the Act's introduction. Colburn highlights issues such as inconsistent enforcement across the UK, high costs for taxpayers from kennelling seized dogs, and severe stress and trauma inflicted on both dogs and their owners.

Other contributors (2)
  • Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge

    Mr Zeichner highlighted the importance of revising dangerous dogs legislation, noting that it was rushed and is now outdated. He cited statistics showing an increase in dog bite hospital admissions and costs. He also emphasised the need for safety measures without unnecessarily punishing responsible owners or harming non-dangerous dogs. Labour supports focusing on individual dog behaviour rather than breed to improve public safety. Mr Zeichner discussed his personal experience with dog attacks and highlighted the need to balance safety concerns with responsible dog ownership. He emphasised the importance of evidence-based research and data collection on dog attacks.

  • Ian Paisley Jnr DL North Antrim

    As Chair, I emphasise the need for clear guidelines on how hybrid arrangements are managed during debates like this. This includes ensuring that physical attendees follow hygiene protocols and adhere to mask requirements.

Government Response

Victoria Prentis

Ms Prentis acknowledged the strength of feeling on all sides regarding breed-specific legislation, noting that pit bull types have traditionally been bred for dog fighting and contribute disproportionately to fatal incidents despite prohibitions. She highlighted that data from 2005 onwards showed pit bulls involved in about one-sixth of fatal attacks. The Minister also stated that there are nearly 3,700 dogs on the index of exempted dogs, mostly pit bull types, which must be neutered and kept under strict conditions if deemed safe by a court assessment. She addressed concerns about inconsistent typing practices and noted the use of a standard based on American Dog Breeders Association criteria for identifying prohibited-type dogs. Ms Prentis also mentioned ongoing research with Middlesex University to address responsible dog ownership across all breeds, aiming to improve recording of dog attack incidents and develop preventive initiatives such as LEAD (local environmental awareness on dogs).

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