Concerns over proposed dangerous dog controls

Gareth Thomas said he was worried his dog Swayze will have to be muzzled in public if new proposals were passed

Non-dangerous dogs could be caught up in moves to protect islanders warn a Jersey dog owner and an animal charity.

Last year Jersey banned XL bully dogs from being imported without a special licence and politicians have since agreed in principle to introduce controls for dangerous dogs.

The JSPCA has raised serious concerns about the breed-specific method being adopted and a lack of consultation with key stakeholders on the proposals.

Dog owner Gareth Thomas said he was worried the plans would lead to his dog being subject to controls based on its looks rather than behaviour.

The Constables Committee brought forward the plans and while the details are to be debated at a later date, they hope to introduce several measures including:

• A registration scheme for dogs meeting the criteria of a dangerous dog

• Dogs will be considered dangerous if they fit the characteristics and measurements of an XL Bully such as: American Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Cane Corso and Presa Canario

• Dangerous dogs must be kept muzzled and on a lead at all times when in public

• The dog must be neutered, have a microchip and be kept in a secure place so it cannot escape

• It will be an offence to own a dangerous dog unless its registered with the States Veterinary officer

Constable Mike Jackson, who chairs the Constables Committee said: "We don't want children to be injured by dangerous dogs as has happened in the UK."

Mr Thomas said his dog Swayze was a Cane Corso so shared some physical characteristics with an XL bully, but he did not think it would be fair to muzzle him or put him on a lead.

"I would feel bad for him, there is nothing he enjoys more than running into the woods and meeting other dogs, he is super dog friendly, he loves going to the beach and running around," he said.

"The main concern is this blanket ban on type breeds rather than specific breeds, so they can implement those muzzle wearing and lease restrictions solely based on the look of your dog rather than its temperament, which is a slippery slope."

'Sloppy proposition'

Deputy Hilary Jeune, chair of the Environment Scrutiny Panel, which "called the law in" as its members felt it needed more work, said parts of the proposed laws were "sloppy".

She said: "There was not enough consultation with the key stakeholders that will be implementing this law, that is the JSPCA and the States police... they are still concerned by this law and how they can implement it.

"Until we have comfort that risks have been mitigated then we do not support the continuation of making this law."

In a letter to the Environment Scrutiny panel, the JSPCA wrote: "WWe have serious concerns about the inclusion of breed-specific restrictions - particularly in relation to XL Bully dogs - and the lack of consultation with key stakeholders."

"The real solution lies in prevention, education, and responsible ownership rather than breed bans."

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